Arsenal Form
Arsenal have extended their lead over nearest challengers Manchester City to nine points, although the Citizens still have a game in hand. They have built up such a solid cushion not only thanks to their rival’s slip-ups, but above all due to four straight league wins. In addition, the club have retained their status as the Premier League’s best attacking side (61 goals scored) and best defence (22 goals conceded). However, there has been a sting in the tail – after beating Everton in the Premier League (2:0), Arsenal lost the EFL Cup final to Manchester City (0:2) and were also knocked out in the FA Cup quarter-finals by Southampton (1:2).
- The team’s unbeaten run in the league stands at eight matches (six wins and two draws).
- Arsenal have scored at least two goals in seven of their previous nine Premier League matches.
- Three or more goals have been scored in six of the last eight home Premier League games.
Potential Arsenal Lineup (4-2-3-1)*
David Raya – Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori, Jurrien Timber, William Saliba – Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice – Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, Bukayo Saka – Kai Havertz.
Defender Piero Hincapie, midfielder Mikel Merino and forward Eberechi Eze will miss the match through injury. Defender Jurrien Timber and midfielder Bukayo Saka are doubts.
Bournemouth Form
Bournemouth last lost in the Premier League at the beginning of January, and it was Arsenal who beat them. Since then, the Cherries have put together an 11-match unbeaten run in the league, recording four wins and seven draws. Interestingly, the team have had five straight draws in the Premier League, with three of them finishing goalless. Bournemouth have slipped to 13th in the standings, but they still have a chance of pushing for a Champions League place, trailing that zone by seven points.
- No more than two goals have been scored in six of the club’s previous eight Premier League matches.
- Bournemouth have conceded more than one goal in only one of their last eight league games.
- Away from home, the team are on a six-match unbeaten run in the Premier League (two wins and four draws).
Potential Bournemouth Lineup (4-2-3-1)*
Djordje Petrovic – Marcos Senesi, Adrien Truffert, James Hill, Alejandro Jimenez – Alex Scott, Ryan Christie – Ryan, Amin Adli, Marcus Tavernier – Evanilson.
Defender Julio Soler and forward Justin Kluivert are out injured. Midfielders Tyler Adams and Lewis Cook, as well as forward Eli Junior Kroupi, are doubts.
Who Will Referee the Match?
Michael Oliver (England)
Matches – 23 (the Premier League, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 67;
Average yellow cards per match – 2.9;
Red cards shown – 2;
Fouls per match on average – 22;
Penalties – 4%.
* For each team, the starting XI from their previous match in this competition is listed.
