Arsenal will be looking to right the wrongs of last weekend’s frustrating draw at home to North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
The frustration of dropping a lead twice against Spurs was remedied by the Gunners progressing to the last 16 of the League Cup, beating Brentford 1-0. It continued their fine form away from the Emirates in all competitions.
However, the week has not come without though. Both Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka were withdrawn from last weekend’s draw with injuries, adding concern to Arteta ahead of their clash with Bournemouth on Saturday.
The key players could be absent for the trip to the South Coast where Cherries boss Andoni Iraola will be desperate for his first three points as manager.
Who might be missing for the Gunners?
The injuries have been mounting this week with Arteta potentially being without six first-team players.
Rice, Saka and William Saliba have all picked up knocks with England international Rice not being available for training trained this week and is likely to miss out on the squad. Sake though could be fit enough to at least make the bench.
Saliba could also be fit for the game having missed out on the midweek win with Fabio Vieira with both being assessed ahead of the trip to Bournemouth.
Both Garbielle Martinelli and Leo Trossard will both be missing for the game having not yet trained this week.
Who starts for Arsenal?
The spate of injuries has left Arteta with moving his team around regarding personnel. A midfield three of Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard and Jorginho is technically incredibly proficient but lacking in physicality.
One option could be deploying Ben White as a CDM, with Tomiyasu coming into right back, although that hasn’t been tried often in games and Arteta is unlikely to take that risk.
Emile Smith-Rowe is likely to come in for his first start of the season and be given the chance to impress, having not started a game for the Gunners for 499 days.
