Image source, Getty Images

Steve Cook then has some defending to do as he stretches out a foot to hook an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain ball away from the onrushing Mesut Ozil.

Good start by Bournemouth.

Steve Cook launches a ball to Matt Ritchie on the right, who cushions a fine header down for Adam Smith. He charges forward but his shot-pass trickles out for a goal kick.

BBC Radio 5 Live
Southend manager Phil Brown

Image source, Getty Images

"Back in the first week of January Arsenal were top of the league, I thought it could be their year but they've since been overtaken by Leicester, Tottenham and Manchester City. 

"Eddie Howe, he's done a brilliant job here at Bournemouth. He's built a club around the mould of what he thinks a footballer should be. Having 40 points should be enough for them to stay up, and they will be more than capable of that."

Benik Afobe looks calm and confident. He's up for this one.

Arsenal get this game under way.

A couple of years ago I went to cover a Swindon v Bournemouth reserve match at Bournemouth. Amazing to think it hosts Premier League football now.

The players are out on the pitch, which looks fantastic by the way. Kick off is a few minutes away.

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe, speaking to Sky Sports: "We've been producing some good performances. Consistency is key in this league and we have to continue picking up points. 

"I've not said anything to Benik, he'll be keen to impress but that doesn't change because of who we are playing."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, speaking to Sky Sports: "Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is in good form and I want to take advantage of it. It gives us a balance to our side, which is important. You play the players in good form - Francis Coquelin is not there yet but physically he is just short. Now we are going into a period where every game is big. It's never too early for a must-win game... you must always win in our job."

Ten minutes until kick off, so here's a reminder of the line-ups.

BBC Radio 5 Live
Southend manager Phil Brown

"There's a wonderful feeling around Bournemouth right now, I don't think even for one minute that they'll be going down. The Arsenal machine is in town but this is no foregone conclusion - the way Bournemouth are playing it will be a close game."

Paul Harris: How many more times are Arsenal going to play the Flamini/Ramsey defensive combo? Any idiot can see it just doesn't work.

Robert Whittaker: Huge match. If we don't get three points we can kiss the title goodbye. Would the real Arsenal please stand up, please stand up?

Bournemouth fans, your defender Tyrone Mings is due on 5 live at 13:15 GMT.

You can listen via the top of this page, or on your radio.

Martin Keown
Former Arsenal defender on MOTD2 Extra

"There's real belief at Tottenham. The fans feel they have a team now. You can sense it in the stadium - they believe they can be champions, without a doubt.

"There's a clear structure to the way they play. Eric Dier covering for the two centre-backs, the full-backs play with real endeavour. Christian Eriksen has so many touches, he pops up everywhere, and yesterday they were patient." 

Arsenal have not won a Premier League game since 2 January and given the fact Bournemouth have won just three league games at home all season, Gunners fans will no doubt view this as a must-win fixture.

Their drop off in form must be doubly sickening given Tottenham's continued rise...

BBC Radio 5 Live

Phil Brown has swapped one coastal town for another today. The Southend boss, looking very dapper in his flat cap I must say, is in the 5 live commentary box along with Alistair Bruce Ball.

Image source, _

Arsenal are stepping into the unknown today, having never played a competitive game at Bournemouth before.

Benik Afobe says he holds no grudges against Arsenal, where he started his career but did not make a single first appearance, saying the club helped him become the player today.

However, he warned that he has no plans for a friendly catch up.

“Of all the clubs I’ve been at Arsenal have banged on more than any of the others about having good technique, so that’s what I’ve taken from them," he said in the Guardian., external

"But I’ve got a job to do for my club here and there will be no friends." 

Guy Mowbray
BBC Match of the Day commentator

"The praise for Leicester at the beginning was all about Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez. Then it expanded out towards Danny Drinkwater and N'Golo Kante in the middle, and now every member of that squad has had the praise they deserve. 

"What Claudio Ranieri has developed is a total team, more than any of the other Premier League sides."