Premier League leaders Arsenal head south to tackle Bournemouth on Saturday, in their inaugural fixture of the New Year.
The Gunners ran riot in a 4-1 battering of Aston Villa in their midweek affair, while the Cherries' valiant efforts against Chelsea were not enough to snap their winless sequence.
Bournemouth will seek an unprecedented third straight win over Arsenal in Saturday's Premier League clash at the Vitality Stadium, but they will have to defy their recent form to do so.
The Cherries have now gone without a victory in 10 successive games after Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Chelsea, whereas the Gunners have won their last six following their 4-1 takedown of Aston Villa.
Believe it or not, this could be a more challenging fixture for Mikel Arteta’s side, and it will be interesting to see how they perform against the Cherries. Bournemouth began the season in impressive form, but recent matches have seen them struggle to maintain consistency.
The team has dropped numerous points and has not won any of their last ten matches across all competitions, suggesting that Arsenal should secure a straightforward victory. However, Bournemouth have lost just one of their last five matches, which could give them confidence in claiming at least a point in this encounter.
The Cherries will be motivated to avoid another setback and will be eager to replicate the results they achieved against Arsenal last season, when they defeated the Gunners both home and away, outcomes that had a notable impact on the title race.
Arsenal currently holds a four-point lead at the summit of the Premier League and will be keen to extend it, particularly with Manchester City likely to recover following their draw at Sunderland. The Gunners have a chance to maintain a healthy advantage, but they will need to overcome Bournemouth’s resistance and the challenge of playing at a smaller stadium.
While Arsenal’s home victory against Aston Villa highlighted their strength, replicating that performance on the road may prove more difficult. The team must remain focused to avoid another slip, ensuring that they continue to build momentum in the title race.
This weekend’s clash presents both a test and an opportunity for Arsenal. Success would not only extend their lead but also demonstrate the squad’s ability to perform under pressure against opponents determined to disrupt their campaign.
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Bournemouth predicted lineup vs. Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Petrović; Smith, Diakité, Senesi, Truffert; Scott, Tavernier; Brooks, Kluivert, Semenyo; Evanilson.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs. Bournemouth (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapié; Ødegaard, Zubimendi, Eze; Madueke, Gyökeres, Martinelli.
