Bournemouth preview: Days like this …

Morning all.

Arsenal are in Premier League motion this night, dealing with Bournemouth away from dwelling, and with the chance to increase our lead on the prime of the Premier League desk.

Mikel Arteta was imprecise on Declan Rice’s availability, saying the swelling hadn’t gone down on his knee but, and with Liverpool on the horizon subsequent week, it appears unlikely to me that we’ll take any danger with him at present. I’ve seen it reported that he has travelled with the squad, however he was with the squad for the Villa sport too. If it have been me, I’d train most warning with regards to Rice’s involvement. I don’t imply to say we have now greater fish to fry than Bournemouth, that’s not it in any respect, however we have now half a season nonetheless to play, and we want him for that greater than we want him for at present.

With little chance to vary a lot on the again, I do surprise if, maybe, the configuration of the midfield is perhaps influenced by who begins up entrance. After a aim in opposition to Villa on Tuesday, Gabriel Jesus have to be pushing his manner in direction of the entrance of the queue up entrance, and in opposition to a group who possess a severe lengthy throw (extra on that anon), we lose a little bit of peak and bodily presence if Viktor Gyokeres doesn’t begin. That in all probability implies that, regardless of the concept of beginning Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze being a tempting one, Mikel Merino will in all probability get the nod alongside the captain, with Martin Zubimendi behind them.

Usually, we ask our centre-forward to defend the close to put up from corners and set-pieces, which is sensible when it’s an enormous lad like Gyokeres or Kai Havertz (and even Merino when he performs there), nevertheless it’s not fairly throughout the wheelhouse of Jesus. Possibly that even performs into the supervisor’s resolution in regards to the striker at present. In opposition to a aspect like Bournemouth, who press excessive and do go away house when you can bypass that, you would make an inexpensive case this one would possibly swimsuit Gyokeres, however when it comes to who appears most definitely to attain of late, the Brazilian edges that one for me.

It appears like Antoine Semenyo shall be out there for the house aspect at present, which I suppose is sensible for each Bournemouth and Man Metropolis. I believe in the event that they have been enjoying completely different opposition at present, his imminent transfer to the Etihad would see him sit this one out, nevertheless it fits Metropolis for Bournemouth’s greatest participant to face a group they’re scrapping for the title with. To not point out, he’s the man with the lengthy throw that’s so very efficient – ask Chelsea after the 2 objectives they conceded at Stamford Bridge the opposite day.

They’re in detached type of late, with no win in 10, however at dwelling they’re a very difficult aspect and there’s an enormous distinction between their type on the Vitality and on their travels. As Lewis identified in our preview podcast, they concede manner fewer pictures at dwelling than away, and the best way they press means their opposition’s possession stats are typically decrease in opposition to them than another aspect within the league aside from Liverpool. So, this might be a sport the place technical high quality may actually make a distinction, which additionally feeds into my feeling about Jesus up entrance (and Eze), however let’s see.

So, that is going to be a more durable one than folks would possibly anticipate wanting on the type desk. Mikel Arteta says:

We all know how robust it’s going to be tomorrow, and all people goes need to be at it. enormous respect for them. I do know Andoni very well and what he’s doing, I believe it’s unimaginable. I’m watching all of the video games that they performed this season and in opposition to the highest sides, how tough they made it and the way they haven’t obtained outcomes in opposition to them as effectively is obscure.

Three factors at present would put us 7 away from Man Metropolis earlier than they face managerless Chelsea tomorrow afternoon. These are the moments within the title race the place you possibly can put stress in your rivals, or maybe give them slightly encouragement going into their subsequent sport. I’m certain that’s one thing the supervisor and the gamers are effectively conscious of, and if that is to be the yr after we lastly end prime, days like at present really feel crucial. Let’s hope we are able to do the enterprise.

Proper, I’ll go away it there for now. We now have a preview podcast over on Patreon when you want one thing to take heed to, and as ever we’ll have stay weblog protection and all of the post-game stuff on Arseblog Information later.

Come on Arsenal!