Arsenal in pole position to maintain unbeaten Premier League start vs Bournemouth

Saturday’s Premier League action caps off at the Vitality Stadium as Bournemouth and Arsenal go head-to-head in a handsomely-looking showdown.

Mikel Arteta’s side welcomed October’s international break in high spirits.

Indeed, Arsenal fought back to beat Southampton 3-1 at home last time out, extending their winning streak in all competitions to four matches while upholding their unbeaten league start.

While Arteta remains open to managing England in the future via Arsenal.com, his current ambition is to end the Gunners’ two-decade title drought in the Premier League.

As one of the two unbeaten teams in England’s top flight, alongside Manchester City, the North London powerhouse entered the break only a point adrift of pacesetters Liverpool.

In contrast to Arsenal’s high-flying league start, three defeats from their last four outings left Bournemouth stranded in the lower reaches during a two-week hiatus.

On top of their underwhelming overall form, the Cherries lament an indifferent record across their last six Premier League games on home turf (W2, D2, L2).

One-sided Affair

Arsenal’s dominance in this match-up is long-standing.

The Gunners have emerged victorious from their last five meetings with Bournemouth in all competitions, including an emphatic 4-0 win in this corresponding fixture in 2023/24.

Except for a 2-1 loss in January 2018, Arteta’s men have gone unbeaten on all six remaining Premier League visits to Boscombe (W4, D2), underscoring their confidence ahead of this trip.

It’s also worth noting that they’ve won their last two away league encounters against the Cherries by an aggregate score of 7-0.

Another Day in the Office

Based on Arsenal’s track record in this fixture, Arteta’s team should have a field trip.

Though their scoring ratio against Bournemouth inflates optimism, the Gunners’ defensive resilience could make the difference on Saturday.

Arsenal’s two away league victories this season have come ‘to nil,’ suggesting the visitors’ potential match opener could put this game to bed.

Arsenal Potential XI

(4-3-3): Raya; Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Merino, Jorginho, Rice; Saka, Jesus, Trossard