It has been four weeks since Arsenal last took to the Premier League stage, when Max Dowman emerged from the school uniform to keep their title dreams in their own destiny.
In that time, Mikel Arteta’s side have endured a turbulent spell, crashing out of the FA Cup and falling short in the EFL Cup final against Manchester City. Yet amid the setbacks, their Champions League ambitions remain intact, reignited by a spirited midweek display against Sporting Lisbon.
Now the focus shifts back to league action, where Arsenal have an immediate chance to stretch their lead to 12 points, at least temporarily, before Manchester City face a stern test against Chelsea.
Standing in their way are a tricky Bournemouth side, unbeaten in their last 11 matches, albeit with a run heavy on draws, and buoyed by their victory in this fixture last season. The Cherries will atest there are no easy games in the Premier League anymore.
To secure all three points at home ahead of next week’s daunting trip to the Etihad, Arsenal will need their key men firing, but which three players need to make a statement on Saturday?
Martin Ødegaard
Martin Ødegaard is an injury doubt after missing training yesterday, however the captain is likely to view this fixture (if available) as the perfect opportunity to reassert himself and remind everyone of his influence.
It has been a frustrating season for the Arsenal captain, with a series of injuries disrupting the rhythm and form we all know the Norwegian is capable of. His display against Sporting Lisbon was encouraging, but it still lacked the defence-splitting pass or pinpoint delivery we have come to expect at the Emirates.
With Eberechi Eze likely still absent, the playmaker could benefit from Bournemouth’s approach. They are unlikely to sit deep in a low block and simply wait to counter, which should afford Ødegaard that extra pocket of space to showcase his technical brilliance.
A goal or assist will do nicely alongside the three points.
Leandro Trossard
Trossard’s vital contributions last season were fundamental to Arsenal’s current momentum, his form has since hit a significant roadblock. Despite his reputation for coming through in the clutch, the Belgian has struggled to influence games this term; a frustrating drought of zero goals and only two assists in his last 18 outings highlights a worrying dip in clinical edge.
With Gabriel Martinelli’s recent Champions League heroics setting the bar, Trossard finds himself in need of a response. A commanding performance off the left wing would do wonders for his confidence as the title race intensifies. If he manages to find the net against Djordje Petrović in the early kickoff, we might finally see a crack in that stoic expression and a rare smile from the Belgian.
While Martinelli’s inclusion in the starting XI is still a toss-up, Trossard’s role as a reliable game-changer means he will likely see significant minutes regardless of whether he starts or comes off the bench.
Viktor Gyökeres
Arsenal’s summer search for a striker successfully landed them a frontman who, despite dividing opinion among fans and pundits, has made a tangible impact. While a tally of 11 Premier League goals might seem modest for the spearhead of a title-chasing side, his output is difficult to criticize when considering the inconsistent service he has received.
His 20% conversion rate remains among the elite in the Premier League, suggesting that he can be elite given the chance. What a statement it would be if he were to add another five to ten goals before the season’s end.
Against Bournemouth, the opportunities should be there; if Arsenal play to his strengths, neither Marcos Senesi nor James Hill will find it easy to muscle a rampaging Swedish bull off the ball in the open spaces.
