JAKARTA The Emirates Stadium will thunder again this weekend when Arsenal host Bournemouth on Saturday night May 3, in the Premier League continued. Despite being busy with a hot duel against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semifinals, the Gunners cannot relax in domestic competitions. Mikel Arteta's men must win if they want to secure the top five positions and ensure tickets to the Champions League next season.
Arsenal are currently not completely safe in the Champions League zone. With the second-largest number of draws in the league this season a total of 13 times, only losing to Everton (14) they haven't been able to party. What's painful, nine of those draws came when they took the lead, including in the exciting duel against Crystal Palace last week which ended 2-2.
Meanwhile, the duel against PSG in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final has just added to the drama. Mikel Merino had equalized before his goal was disallowed due to offside, and Ousmane Dembele confirmed a narrow 2-1 win for the home team. Now, focus on returning to the domestic league, where Arteta must ensure that her team does not lose momentum.
It is undeniable that this match became an "unintended disturbance" ahead of the second leg at the Parc des Princes. However, the defeat in this match could widen the gap for competitors, even putting Arsenal's position in the top four at risk. Arsenal's last eight games in the Premier League have not been touched by defeat, and they have never lost to the top team in their last 18 matches even though eight of them ended in a draw.
On the other hand, Bournemouth also brought big ambitions to North London. Andoni Iraola's troops are still keeping their hopes of appearing in European competition next season, although inconsistency in performance is the main obstacle. Last week, they almost won over Manchester United through Antoine Semenyo's beautiful goal, before Rasmus Hojlund beat the win in the 96th minute.
VAR was also in the spotlight again in the match after Evanilson's red card was disallowed over a review. Fortunately, Bournemouth's appeal was granted, allowing the Brazilian striker to appear at the Emirates. However, the draw was the third of their last four Premier League matches as evidence that Bournemouth had difficulty maintaining the lead.
Even so, the 10th position occupied by The Cherries still gives them hope, let alone the difference in points with Fulham (the 8th place) is only one. But poor performance with just one win in the last eight matches in all competitions could be a serious stumbling block.
Arsenal themselves have a perfect record when they host Bournemouth. In the last eight meetings in all competitions at the Emirates Stadium, the Gunners always win. This trend is certainly an additional motivation to maintain dominance and achieve maximum points.
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Arsenal will not be strengthened by a number of key players. Kai Havertz (hamstring), Jorginho (dada), Gabriel Jesus (ACL), Gabriel Magalhaes (hamstring), and Takehiro Tomiyasu (lutut) are still long-term absent. In addition, Bournemouth's loan defender, Neto, cannot be played because of his status as an Arsenal player.
Riccardo Calafiori has also not recovered from a knee injury, while Thomas Partey is ready to return after missing the Champions League due to suspension. Arteta is predicted to thin-rotate his squad, with Ben White, Zinchenko, Ethan Nwaneri, and Partey having a great chance of starting.
Bournemouth himself will welcome Evanilson back after his red card appeal is granted. Luis Sinisterra is also likely to return from a hamstring injury. However, Enes Unal (lutut) and Ryan Christie (article) have been ruled out until the end of the season.
Lewis Cook, who previously only appeared as a substitute for ankle problems, is now ready to appear from the first minute, replacing Alex Scott in midfield.
Estimated Lineup Of Players
Arsenal (4-3-3):David Raya; Ben White, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko; Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice; Ethan Nwaneri, Mikel Merino, Leandro Trossard.
Bournemouth (4-2-3-1): Kepa Arrizabalaga; Adam Smith, Illia Zabarnyi, Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez; Tyler Adams, Lewis Cook; Antoine Semenyo, Justin Kluivert, Dango Ouattara; Evanilson.
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