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Back to this game and Bournemouth had a bit of a pep talk from an unexpected source earlier this week.

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry had apparently been sent to the Vitality Stadium by the French Football Federation to check on the progress of Lys Mousset, but also popped in for a chat with the whole Bournemouth squad.

"We got Thierry in to talk to the players as we do from time to time with various people, not just footballers," said Cherries boss Eddie Howe.

“Thierry was excellent, he spoke at length to the players about his career and how he was so successful. It was a really beneficial talk.

“It was a combination of a lot of things, definitely the mental side, his mental strength and his desire to be the best. There were a lot of things in there and if it is just one thing a player finds inspiring then it is beneficial."

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

Think this [the Sanchez deal] is one Man Utd won't believe is done until it is over the line. As recently as late last week, people inside club felt Sanchez to City was more or less certain. City felt player would prefer to join them. Interesting to see if Pep Guardiola makes a final push.

Arsene Wenger has just been speaking to Sky Sports and says he expects a resolution on Alexis Sanchez's future "imminently".

"Don’t read too much in it (Sanchez not being in the team) because even I don’t know really what way it will go," he said.

Image source, BBC Sport

Mark Lawrenson thinks "Arsenal are pretty inconsistent away from home" so expects them to drop more points at Bournemouth.

He's gone for a 1-1 draw but NBA stars Dario Saric & Aron Baynes think the Gunners will take all three points.

Lawro's prediction: 1-1

Saric's prediction: 0-2

Baynes's prediction: 1-3

You can make your prediction here.

Arsenal recovered from a 3-0 deficit in last season's corresponding fixture to rescue a point.

That game had it all - a red card, a penalty and six goals including a stoppage-time equaliser from Olivier Giroud.

Will this year's game match it? We hope so!

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Alexis Sanchez is not part of Arsenal's squad as speculation surrounding his exit this month continues.

The Chilean striker, wanted by both Manchester clubs, is not included in Arsene Wenger's squad, after he came from the bench during the Gunners Carabao Cup semi final first leg against Chelsea on Wednesday.

Mesut Ozil, who has a knee injury, remains sidelined as Wenger makes just one change to his team from mid-week; Petr Cech replacing David Ospina in goal.

Image source, BBC Sport

Meanwhile, Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has made seven changes from the team that drew 2-2 with Wigan Athletic in the third round of the FA Cup last Saturday.

Azmir Begovic returns in goal at Artur Boruc's expense, while Dan Gosling and Charlie Daniels come in to the side along with the returning Charlie Daniels, Jordan Ibe, Callum Wilson and Simon Francis.

Image source, BBC Sport

Rob: Sanchez may see Pep as a manager who can take him to the next level. Pep has proved this season that he can make great players even better.

Paul: Sanchez is the ideal replacement for Coutinho - wages might be tipping point though. He will probably end up at a desperate Man United as he is money-oriented!

Where is Sanchez off to?

Match of the Day 2 Extra

Ex-Chelsea and Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer: Arsenal don't look as formidable without Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, but both of them are really frustrating players. But both of them are world class, and on their day they are unplayable, so I don't know about average, but Arsenal are a much, much weaker side without them.

Arsenal fans right now?

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Bournemouth, meanwhile, make seven changes from the side that drew 2-2 with Wigan in the FA Cup last-time out and three changes from their last league outing.

Doug: I would love Sanchez to come to Man United but I don't see it happening. I just think we're being used by his agent to get more money out of City.

Joel: Believe me, when Sanchez finally leaves the Gunners, they'll become a mid-table club.

Confirmation that there is indeed NO Alexis Sanchez in Arsenal's squad today...

Martin Keown
Former Arsenal defender on Football Focus

Theo Walcott can't be happy, because he's working hard, but he's not playing every week, or not at all even. It might be time for him to look for the exit door, because it looks like Arsene Wenger has lost faith in him, and if Everton are interested in him - it would be a new start for him, at a very good club.

Image source, Getty Images

Alexis Sanchez might not be the only Arsenal player on the move this month, with Theo Walcott having been linked with Everton.

You feel with Walcott he needs to move on having never really developed into the player many expected at the Gunners.

Will he be in the Arsenal team today? We'll find out in exactly one minute.

Match of the Day 2 Extra

Burnley and Republic of Ireland striker Jon Walters: I'm not in the bracket of Alexis Sanchez unfortunately, but for me, I'd prefer to know where I'm going to be further than six months in advance. But, financially, it might make sense for him to run down his Arsenal contract.

Ex-Chelsea and Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer: It's a family situation as well, because he'll have kids at school in the area, and if he's been settled in London, he's got to take that into account. But with Sanchez, it's a question of his ambition, because he hasn't been winning trophies at Arsenal, so you'd think he'd win things at Man City, but if he went to Manchester United, he could lift them to a level where they'd be competing with City.

Jon Evans: If Sanchez wants to play games and win trophies, Man United. If he doesn't want to play and still win trophies, Man City. If he wants to play games but win no trophies, Liverpool.

Joel: Seriously it is my wish that Sanchez comes to Anfield. He is a player that we will adore forever. FSG owe us.

Thoughts on where Arsenal's Chilean superstar will end up come the end of January? Let us know!

Match of the Day 2 Extra

Ex-Chelsea and Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer: I'm surprised Alexis Sanchez is there now to be honest, I'd have thought he'd have gone in the summer, when Arsenal could have got £60m for him. But it seems like Arsene Wenger wants to replace him before he finally lets him go.

Burnley and Republic of Ireland striker Jon Walters: It's become a bit of a side-show at Arsenal now, the Sanchez saga, and I think they want him out now, rather than keeping a bad egg at the club.

Image source, .

MOTD2 Extra is live now on BBC Two, online and on BBC Radio 5 live.

Expect plenty of chat about Alexis Sanchez.

Arsenal arrive, but there does indeed appear to be no Alexis Sanchez hopping off the coach...

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Luke: Can't see Sanchez going to Liverpool or Man United. Why would he go to a club where he would be the only world class outfield player they have, who are still fighting for the top four? He wants to win things.

Matthew Johnston: Can we be real for a second here? Sanchez joining Liverpool? Never going to happen. He's not going to leave one underachieving team to join another. At least Arsenal have won the FA Cup in recent years. The whole point he's leaving is to win trophies. It's Blue or Red at this point.

Which side of Manchester will Alexis Sanchez join this January? Let us know what you think!