Arsenal FC vs AFC Bournemouth, Premier League 2022-2023, Today Match Prediction

Arsenal FC vs AFC Bournemouth Match Prediction & Analysis

Arsenal put in an impressive performance to beat Everton in midweek, seeing off Sean Dyche’s relegation favourites 4-0.

Mikel Arteta’s men have now opened up a five point gap over rivals Manchester City, and have now played the same number of games as Pep Guardiola’s men.

While they still need to play each other for one final crunch game in April, Arsenal are certainly in the driving seat right now.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, Bournemouth are struggling to mount a challenge for Premier League survival. Gary O’Neil continues to be trusted with the manager’s job but appears no closer to turning things around.

Another heavy defeat here would push them further into the danger zone, especially with Everton, Leeds and West Ham all looking stronger in the positions above them.

This could be a long afternoon for them if Arsenal are in top gear.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Arsenal FC Preview

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Won all six of their previous home games against Bournemouth

     Excellent 4-0 win over Everton in midweek shows confidence flowing through the squad

Reasons to be fearful:

     Face a tricky schedule over the next month

     They face a Bournemouth team desperate for points

March could well end up being Arsenal’s most important month of the season.

Despite opening up a five-point gap over Manchester City, the Gunners face additional pressures to their schedule this month with the return of Europa League football.

In the next week, they face a tricky trip to Portugal to play Sporting Lisbon, followed by an away test against Fulham in the Premier League three days later. Their squad will be tested to the full.

They are not expected to face too many problems here, however. Their record over Bournemouth is excellent. The likes of Martinelli and new signing Leandro Trossard are on fire in front of goal.

The return of Thomas Partey from injury is another welcome boost for the manager, who must now try and fit him, Jorginho, Xhaka and Odegaard into a three-man midfield.

It’s a nice problem to have.

Star Man – Bukayo Saka

Another goal and another assist against Bournemouth means the England man is now on 20 goal involvements for the season. Against Bournemouth’s troubled defence, he should have more success here.

AFC Bournemouth Preview

Reasons to be cheerful

     Playing away at the Emirates could be seen as a free hit

     A win would likely take them out of the bottom three

Reasons to be fearful

     Lost all eight games they’ve played against teams at the top of the league

     Never kept a clean sheet against Arsenal

Bournemouth have to see this game as a free hit of sorts. No one will expect them to take anything from this game, which could work in their favour if they can pull together a good performance.

Just one win since the end of November – a 1-0 victory over Wolves last month – has seen the Cherries dragged into the bottom three. While they are currently just one point from safety, this gap will grow if they don’t improve.

Like most teams at the bottom, Bournemouth’s problem has been conceding too many goals. No other team has let in as many as the Cherries’ 48. Another two would mean they have conceded at least 50 in each of their last six Premier League seasons.

They’ve never kept a clean sheet against Arsenal either, another reason why this game is so daunting. On the bright side, they’ve scored in their last three coming into this game, so they offer a threat going forward too.

Star Man – Marcus Tavernier

Tavernier’s seven goal involvements this season have only been better by Dominic Solanke in a Bournemouth shirt. Tavernier’s passing especially has been vital for the Cherries.