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| Bukayo Saka and Dominic Solanke will both be pivotal to Arsenal and Bournemouth respectively on Saturday when both sides meet at the Emirates, who will come out tops? (Photo credit: Sporting News) |
Arsenal vs. BournemouthEmirates Stadium12:30pm
Arsenal’s title dreams could still become a heartwarming reality. For the first time in twenty years, the Gunners could land the Premier League title, but it’s not completely in their hands.
A win over Bournemouth is not negotiable; Arsenal cannot afford to drop points anywhere. They have a big one next weekend against Manchester United before ending the season at home to Everton. It could still end in joy for Arsenal, but they cannot afford to slip up.
Bournemouth has enjoyed an amazing season; they’re eyeing an unprecedented European berth. It’s mathematically possible, but it also means the teams in front of them must drop points, do their job, and then wait on other results.
Take it back to last season, the same teams, the same stadium: the Gunners needed a win to keep their title hopes alive; the Cherries raced to a 2-0 lead with defeat starring in Arsenal’s face; the Gunners rallied through Thomas Partey, Ben White, and a sensational last-gasp volley by Reis Nelson.
Arsenal fans can’t afford the sort of palpitations they got against Bournemouth last season; they would need their team to start quickly off the blocks and get the job done before halftime. They won’t want to see individual errors like David Raya did last weekend against the Spurs either.
Bournemouth is a potential banana peel; they went to Old Trafford and took United to the cleaners; a 3-0 success over Erik Ten Hag’s side automatically confirmed their top flight status for next season; now they’re aiming higher.
Bournemouth got a boost on the injury front; Antoine Semenyo is fit and available for selection; Dominic Solanke and Enes Unal will both hope to impact the game; and Justin Kluivert continues to shine right behind the strikers or on the flanks.
Arsenal has every single player fit and available for this game. Jurien Timber is back in the first team after missing the entirety of the season due to injury; expect some selection headaches from the manager in that regard.
Bukayo Saka is a man to watch; he lost steam recently, but he is now back among the goals and assists; the England star boy scored one and forced an own goal against Tottenham. Together with Kai Havetz, Arsenal have an unpredictable and dynamic goal threat.
Arsenal will seek to complete the double over Bournemouth, but they will also hope to score enough goals as the season could come down to a goal difference that currently favors the Gunners. Manchester City must drop points for Arsenal to stand a chance; however, Arsenal must win here to take advantage.