We are back from International break, Arsenal travel to the Vitality Stadium this Sunday as they take on Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth, who are placed just one place below them in the Premier League table.
Unai Emery and his Arsenal have been unbeaten since the second week of the season, although Emery will be under some pressure after drawing three games on the trot before going off to the international break which leaves them three points off the Top Four.
Eddie Howe’s side are making their mark this season, as the In-form Cherries with only losing one-third of the matches this term. Despite suffering couple of defeats on the go – Bournemouth are still a brilliant side who are enjoying brilliant start to the season.
Emery understands Bournemouth’s good form, acknowledging that the Gunners will have to be at their best to finally return back to winning ways this weekend.
“Watching their matches, I am not surprised [by their good form],” Emery said at his pre-match press conference at London Colney on Friday.
“They are a very organised team who work well tactically in all of their games. In their stadium with their supporters they feel they can beat every team.
“So Sunday will be a very hard test, a very high-level test for how we can continue our process and our progress. This is very important. To show every supporter our mentality. We need to demand this of ourselves in all of our matches.”
WATCH UNAI EMERY’S PRESS CONFERENCE [ PRE-MATCH]
TEAM NEWS
For the Hosts, they Welcome back Striker Joshua King, who is available for contention following four match lay off due to an ankle problem. Adam Smith (who was carried off against Newcastle United) has undergone surgery on a knee cartilage tear and will be out until February.
For the Gunners, the duo of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are expected to shrug off their injury for Sunday after rejecting call-ups from their respective nations. StephaN Lichtsteiner is doubtful with hamstring problem where as Laurent Koscielny starts his way back into full fitness. Danny Welbeck is feared to miss rest of the season.
PROBABLE XI
Bournemouth: Begovic; Francis, S.Cook, Ake, Daniels; Cook, Lerma, Gosling; Brooks, Fraser, Wilson
Arsenal: Leno; Bellerin, Mustafi, Holding, Maitland-Niles; Torreira, Xhaka; Mkhitaryan, Ozil, Aubameyang; Lacazette
ARSENAL’S BEST GOAL VS BOURNEMOUTH
