Steve Claridge
Ex-Premier League striker on BBC Radio 5 live

I think it's been pretty much what we expected, both sides at playing a 3-5-2, and it's a pretty even and open game so far. Both teams like to knock it about, and they both look pretty confident with their passing so far.

Arsenal getting into the groove now as Alexandre Lacazette floats the ball across the box to the unmarked Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who twists and turns to open up a bit more space before shooting onto the crossbar.

Quite an open start as now Arsenal attack, Hector Bellerin floating the ball across the face of goal for a team-mate but Simon Francis is well placed to head clear.

Image source, Reuters

Fish Hailu: Mahrez to Arsenal, makes sense if both Sanchez and Ozil leave, but I think the issue with Arsenal is not lack of players, rather the manager . Wenger is outdated.

James: Am I the only person who thinks Sanchez leaving would be good for Arsenal? The sight of him laughing on the bench at them being 10-2 down to Bayern Munich keeps springing to mind!

Arsenal have lost 48% of the games they have played without Alexis Sanchez in their side since he joined them so this is a real chance for Bournemouth to pick up some much needed points and move away from the relegation zone.

The hosts are on top in these early minutes as Adam Smith sends a low effort just wide.

Sumwit: Alexis Sanchez's best place to showcase his creative talent is Liverpool only if they can match his wage demands. At United he will be part of "boring" football. And Man City is already over crowded for any personal glories.

Michael Park: Chelsea should be in the hunt for Sanchez. Can't understand a player like him becoming available and not being in the running for him. Maybe it just confirms Conte is out in the summer.

Steve Claridge
Ex-Premier League striker on BBC Radio 5 live

Arsene Wenger is not on top of things at Arsenal right now - it looks like he finally knows what's happening with Alexis Sanchez - but it doesn't look like he's going to be able to do anything about it.

Players need to look at Arsenal as a big club, and I don't think they do right now, because they keep losing their best players. As soon as someone comes in, they let a few go. Arsenal are a massive club, with a huge turnover, and they should be punching their weight on the pitch.

Referee Kevin Friend has one last look at his watch and we're under way.

Arsene Wenger is once again in the stands as he serves the last of his three-match touchline ban.

He's also opted for a jacket that zips down only as far as his chest today. Wise.

CJ: Sanchez leaving is a true Gooners' dream come true. No player is bigger than the club. Arsenal to win 6-0 today. You heard it here first.

Akanni: Why are Arsenal not trying to sign Mahrez is beyond me. He alone is enough to replace Ozil and Sanchez.

Big call from Akanni...

Steve Claridge
Ex-Premier League striker on BBC Radio 5 live

There is a real lack of quality in Arsenal's ranks without Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez. When you look at their team you don't know where the quality is coming from, you don't see any leaders in there either.

The last time I saw the Gunners was against West Brom, and I wasn't impressed. So, for the Arsenal fans today, I wouldn't be expecting too much today.

Right, how about some football?

The players are in the tunnel and ready to head on out.

Alexis Sanchez inspired Arsenal to a stunning comeback from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 when these two sides met here last season.

How will the Gunners get on this time without their talisman?

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe: "Last season's meeting was an incredible one to be part of. We showed two sides, our quality for 60-70 minutes and then theirs for the last 20.

"Hopefully this year, we're due a performance and then the result comes with it. But it's never easy, we're going to need to bring our A-game that's for sure. Hopefully we've built a bit of momentum in recent games, being unbeaten in four.

"I think we need to take some of the positives we've gathered in recent weeks and launch that at Arsenal."

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: "Last year was a spectacular game, when it finished 3-3.

"They are a team who have a bit more difficulty this season but down there (at the Vitality Stadium) they can make it difficult for anybody."

Stephen O'Flynn of Ballinamallard somehow fails to score in the Irish Premiership match against Glentoran.

A goal would have put bottom-placed Ballinamallard 3-1 up but the match ended 2-2.

Jawad: I don't care where Sanchez wants to go. My concern is that Arsenal bring in Mkhitaryan, Malcom and Evans to strengthen the squad.

Princewill: I would prefer Sanchez goes to Man United - then we can see how Jose tolerates him giving away the ball frequently.

Alistair Bruce-Ball
BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, .

Here comes Eddie Howe and he must be sensing a real opportunity for his Bournemouth team today against a Sanchez-less and Ozil-less Arsenal.

Bournemouth should have won this game last year when they were 3-0 up with 20 minutes to play but Arsenal eventually pegged them back with an injury-time equaliser from Olivier Giroud.

So far this season Bournemouth have played seven league games against the so-called ‘Big six’ and they’ve lost the lot, managing just one goal but you just wonder whether Arsenal could be a little vulnerable here having also played a tiring game against Chelsea on Wednesday night.

Liverpool

Some news for Liverpool fans, with RB Leipzig reiterating what they told our chief football writer Phil McNulty earlier this week that Naby Keita is going nowhere this month.

Simon Brotherton
MOTD commentator

"Arsenal needed to score three goals in the last 20 minutes just to get a point on their last visit to the Vitality Stadium in a dramatic encounter.

"Olivier Giroud's last-minute header left Eddie Howe's team wondering how they'd allowed what appeared to be a comfortable 3-0 lead slip through their fingers.

"Both sides could really do with a win this weekend for different reasons.

"Bournemouth are unbeaten in the last three league games but sit just a point above the relegation zone, whilst sixth-placed Arsenal are five points behind the top four and playing catch-up after drawing three of the last four league matches."

Image source, Getty Images

Bit surprised to see Jack Wilshere in the team after he went off injured in the League Cup draw at Chelsea last-time out.

It does give him the chance to face the side he played for last season, a spell he remembers fondly.

“It was a good year," Wilshere says. "I really enjoyed it. I've got some good friends in Bournemouth, the manager was great for me. I think it was good for me as a player and a person to experience that.”

Will Nicholls: As a Man City fan I’m obviously going to say that Sanchez would best suit us, but I think he would be a great fit at Liverpool as well, both attack minded teams that play his style of football. Man United are willing to pay him more, but I just don’t think he’d suit them.

Rich: As an Arsenal fan I say good riddance to Sanchez. He has been upsetting the morale at the club for too long. Let the little sulk leave and be someone else’s problem.