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It’s been obvious, from early in the game, that we are missing Odegaard’s ingenuity on the pitch. In a tight game like this that the ability to break down what has been a decent Bournemouth defence is sadly lacking.
Tim
Bournemouth 0-0 Arsenal
Danny Gabbidon
Former Wales defender on BBC Radio 5 Live
Image source, ReutersThat is a game changer for Bournemouth.
Evanilson had a lot to do, a long way from goal but there wasn't any cover to save William Saliba. The defender panics and tries to react but he could only bring down the forward.
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It looked to me as though Evanilson was in an offside position when the ball was played. We know angles can be deceiving, but the fact that VAR haven't even considered that could well lead to another enormous controversy involving Arsenal.
Nathan, Oxford
Bournemouth 0-0 Arsenal
Can Bournemouth capitalise on Arsenal beng reduced to 10 men and claim a famous win?
Declan Rice looks to have moved into centre back for now, with Raheem Sterling and Leandro Trossard dropped deeper for a 4-4-1 formation.
Bournemouth 0-0 Arsenal
Danny Gabbidon
Former Wales defender on BBC Radio 5 Live
There wasn't any cover really but you think with William Saliba's pace he would have come back. However the arms come out and he drags down Evanilson.
AFC Bournemouth 0-0 Arsenal
William Saliba, after a VAR review, is sent off.
How huge could this moment be tonight, and in the title race?
Image source, Reuters
Bournemouth 0-0 Arsenal
VAR Jared Gillett is sending on-field ref Rob Jones to the monitor.
William Saliba may be in big trouble.
Bournemouth 0-0 Arsenal
William Saliba sends Evanilson sprawling as the Brazilian looks to spring away.
Saliba is booked, the Bournemouth fans were shouting for a red. Saliba was the last man, but he was nearer the centre circle than his own goal so escapes a sending off.
Although VAR are looking at it...
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In answer to Alex 17.49 - Kai Havertz. Sterling is the next Arteta DIY project
Jason, Abergavenny
AFC Bournemouth 0-0 Arsenal
Antoine Semenyo runs into his own team mate as Bournemouth try to launch an attack, before Mikel Merino - making his first Arsenal start tonight - passes straight to an opposition player.
Sums up this game so far.
FT: Fulham 1-3 Aston Villa
Fulham's Kenny Tete, spekaing to PLP: "Obviously a disappointed feeling. I think we started well. Then we were unlucky with the own goal. But, we get a penalty and we didn't score it. It is going to be a difficult afternoon.
On the penalty miss: "It happened and you have to push for more - it is what it is. Half-time we changed the game-plan, it was a bit better. Then it goes 2-1 and you know it is going to be difficult.
"We could have had a bit more luck, but I don't want to point to that. It wasn't our day and we could have done better.
"We can look in the mirror and we have to do better and train harder. Frustrated."
Bournemouth 0-0 Arsenal
Raheem Sterling dinks in a cross from the right, and former Chelsea team mate Kepa is unsure whether to come and collect.
However the ball is too far ahead of Arsenal players and bounces out for a goal kick.
Image source, PA MediaBournemouth 0-0 Arsenal
Bournemouth have only conceded 10 goals so far this season - their best ever defensive record seven matches into a Premier League campaign.
Arsenal will not pick them open easily tonight.
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As an Arsenal fan, I still can't get my head around why we bought Sterling. I just don't think he has the work ethic or quality we need.
Alex in Birmingham
Slight correction Alex - Sterling is currently on loan at Arsenal, from Chelsea.
Bournemouth 0-0 Arsenal
Danny Gabbidon
Former Wales defender on BBC Radio 5 Live
Image source, PA MediaBournemouth have done well to get the home crowd behind them from the get go. They have been positive, have pressed high and are winning duels in that midfield area. The home crowd are right up for this.
Bournemouth 0-0 Arsenal
Raheem Sterling, starting in place of injured Bukayo Saka today, has his first moment to shine. He cuts back and forth on the right corner of the Bournemouth box, before firing in a cross which is cleared.
Image source, ReutersBournemouth 0-0 Arsenal
Ooh, David Raya is a lucky boy.
The Arsenal keeper, under no pressure, passes straight to Alex Scott 20 yards from goal. The ball is played to Antoine Semenyo, who wastes the chance by firing well over.
Bournemouth 0-0 Arsenal
Danny Gabbidon
Former Wales defender on BBC Radio 5 Live
Bournemouth have done well at stopping Arsenal playing through them, in fact Arsenal have been forced to go long on a few occasions. It is really important that Bournemouth get the balance of the press right, when to sit off and be compact and when to press high to stop Arsenal playing.
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Newcastle 0-1 Brighton
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler to BBC Match of the Day: "I think we suffered first half. There was a lot of intensity from Newcastle. But we showed a brilliant reaction.
"In the end, I wouldn't say it was a deserved win, but my team suffered and defended together.
"Sometimes that's football. We didn't deserve to score at the time when we did. But it's great individual quality from Danny Welbeck. I am very happy with him."
On Welbeck's injury: "No updates. I can't say any updates. I think he got a knee in his lower back. Let's wait until later, until tomorrow, then we'll know more.
"We defended together. In the end, defence wins Championships. We got smashed against Chelsea but we learnt from it. Not everything was perfect today, we have to be honest with ourselves. But the luck will come to you if you work for it.
"We have a lot of injuries, we always have to adjust things. But the guys are doing it brilliantly. Of course we want to focus on the process but you also need the results. For me, the result was good, the performance was OK."
Bournemouth 0-0 Arsenal
Arsenal, who will go top with victory here, have not yet clicked into top gear.
Alex Scott almost gets free for Bounemouth in the away area, but William Saliba deals with him comfortably.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 2 | 11 | 18 |
| |
| 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 17 | 8 | 9 | 17 |
| |
| 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 15 | 8 | 7 | 17 |
| |
| 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 17 |
| |
| 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 14 | 10 | 4 | 15 |
| |
| 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 14 |
| |
| 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 18 | 9 | 9 | 13 |
| |
| 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 12 |
| |
| 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| |
| 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 11 |
| |
| 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 9 | -2 | 11 |
| |
| 7 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 10 |
| |
| 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 14 | 15 | -1 | 10 |
| |
| 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 14 | -2 | 9 |
| |
| 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 15 | -4 | 8 |
| |
| 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 15 | -6 | 8 |
| |
| 8 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 16 | -10 | 4 |
| |
| 7 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 10 | -5 | 3 |
| |
| 7 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 21 | -12 | 1 |
| |
| 8 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 18 | -12 | 1 |
|
Manager: Andoni Iraola
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Mikel Arteta
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Andoni Iraola
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Mikel Arteta
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
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Bournemouth have lost 11 of their 14 Premier League games against Arsenal, though all three exceptions have been in home games (3-3 in January 2017, 2-1 in January 2018, 1-1 in December 2019).
Since Bournemouth returned to the Premier League in 2022, Arsenal have won all four of their meetings with the Cherries by an aggregate score 13-2, netting 3+ goals each time.
Each of Bournemouth’s last 10 Premier League wins have been against sides in the bottom half of the table. The Cherries are winless in their last 11 against sides in the top half since beating Manchester United 3-0 in December last year (D4 L7).
Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Southampton last time out was their 1,999th top-flight win. Victory here will see them become the second side to reach 2,000, after Liverpool (2,065).
Arsenal are unbeaten in all 10 of their games in all competitions so far this season (W7 D3) – they last had a longer unbeaten run from the start of a campaign in 2007-08 (first 21).
Bournemouth have had more shot ending high turnovers than any other side in the Premier League this season (18), while only three sides have faced fewer such shots than the Cherries (6).
Arsenal have won 10 of their 12 away Premier League games so far in 2024, with their only two failures both coming away against Manchester City (0-0 in March, 2-2 in September).
Bukayo Saka has scored 49 Premier League goals for Arsenal. Aged 23 years and 44 days on the day of this game, a goal against Bournemouth would make him the youngest to net 50 for the club in the competition (11th player overall).
Kai Havertz has been involved in 20 goals in his last 21 Premier League appearances (13 goals, 7 assists). His first goal for Arsenal came in this exact fixture last season, netting a penalty in a 4-0 victory.
No player has more secondary assists (the pass before the assist) in the Premier League this season than Arsenal’s Thomas Partey (3).
