Arsenal v Bournemouth: Preview, Team News, Predicted XI

Arsenal v Bournemouth: Preview, Team News, Predicted XI | Premier League 2018-19

Modified Feb 27, 2019 07:42 GMT

Arsenal will look to continue in the fourth spot with a win today

Arsenal will host Bournemouth at the Emirates today as the Gunners look to consolidate their fourth position in the league.

The win last week against relegation-threatened Southampton saw Arsenal getting back into the top 4 of the Premier League table. Moreover, Unai Emery's men have an impressive record at home in the league with 13 straight wins in 14; their only home defeat came against Manchester City on the opening day of the league, way back in August.

A win today could see the Gunners going 4 points ahead of Manchester United, depending on the Red Devils' result against Crystal Palace.

Bournemouth find themselves in mid table obscurity, sitting in 12th position of the table - 10 points above the relegation zone. Eddie Howe and his men have a poor record away from home in the league, with the Cherries losing 8 straight league matches, a run that dates back to October.

Bournemouth are winless since their famous 4-0 victory against Chelsea, but a win today could see them returning back to the top 10 of the table.

The first encounter between the sides ended in a 2-1 victory for Arsenal at the Vitality Stadium.

Team news

Arsenal

Ainsley Maitland-Niles is expected to be back in the lineup after recovering from illness, along with captain Laurent Koscielny who has recovered from a minor injury.

Stephan Lichtsteiner and Alex Iwobi face late fitness tests after the duo suffered injuries against Southampton.

Hector Bellerin, Rob Holding and Danny Welbeck are all still recovering from their surgeries.

Bournemouth

Jefferson Lerma starts his two-match suspension after accumulating 10 yellow cards this season.

Steve Cook, Junior Stanislas, David Brooks and Calum Wilson are all injured for the Cherries, while Lewis Cool and Simon Francis are out with long-term injuries.