Relegation-threatened Bournemouth visit Premier League leaders Arsenal on Saturday at the Emirates Stadium hoping to get themselves out of the dreaded zone .
The Cherries are currently seated in the 19th position on the Premier League table three points ahead of bottom-placed Southampton, but also just as many points below Leicester placed 14th.
Bournemouth have only managed to win once in the last five matches and have only won four matches in the 24 matches they have played this season so far.
They are now visiting a high-flying Arsenal side that have taken this season by storm and manager Gary O’Neil thinks just the same.
While speaking in the pre-match press conference today, O’Neil said that going to the Emirates Stadium is tough but he is certain his men can cause a problem or two.
“It (Emirates Stadium) is the toughest to go no doubt at the moment, they are a fantastic side on top of the league. But we go there with ways we feel we can cause them a problem. Obviously, the intensity they show and how aggressive they are with the ball and how good they are with the ball, they are a very good side.” O’Neil said, as shared by the club’s official Twitter page.
Even though Arsenal are currently doing well and have won three matches on the bounce, manager Mikel Arteta feels they have not yet reached their full potential.
“There’s much more to come. We can do things much better in many aspects of the game, and we still have players with immense growth potential individually and collectively, and as a club as well there are a lot of things we can do much better.” Arteta said in the press conference earlier today, as quoted by the club’s official website.
Arsenal expect on-form players Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, and Martin Odegaard to continue performing at their best come Saturday. The trio have registered 48 goals and assists in the Premier League.
Arsenal have won nine of the last 12 encounters with Bournemouth, losing only one and drawing two.
Team news
Arsenal have no fresh injuries bar Gabriel Jesus and Mohammed Elneny but Arteta said Eddie Nketiah will be assessed for match fitness after the last training session.
Jorginho, who played with an illness in the 4-0 thrashing of Everton on Wednesday, has recovered and is available for selection.
The Cherries welcome back midfielder Lewis Cook but Lloyd Kelly, Marcus Tavernier, David Brooks, and Illia Zabarnyi will miss the trip to Arsenal although they are close to returning.
