Arsenal will try to get back on the winning track in the English Premier League when they host Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium in London this Sunday, November 27th. The Gunners drew 1-1 with Manchester United at Old Trafford last weekend while Bournemouth were 1-0 winners away at Stoke City. Arsenal then drew 2-2 at home with Paris Saint Germain in the European Champions League on Wednesday.
Arsenal vs Bournemouth – Pinnacle Soccer Betting Line:
- Pinnacle currently lists Arsenal as the favorites to win the game at -236 with Bournemouth +721 and a draw at +211
Arsenal vs Bournemouth – Head to Head:
- These two clubs met twice in the Premier League last season with Arsenal winning both games 2-0. Overall, the clubs have met just three times in the past with the Gunners winning all three contests and outscoring Bournemouth 7-0. The other meeting was a League Cup encounter in October of 1987 with Arsenal winning 3-0 at home.
Arsenal – A Closer Look:
The Gunners are one of the hottest teams in the league right now and are in fourth place in the standings. They have 25 points on the season from seven wins, four draws and a lone defeat, which came at the hands of Liverpool 4-3 at home in the season opener. Arsenal has scored 25 goals and allowed 12 against after a dozen contests. They sit two points behind Liverpool and Manchester city and are three points behind league-leading Chelsea. They’re also just one point ahead of fifth-place Tottenham Hotspur.
Arsenal is on an 18-game unbeaten streak in all competitions with 11 wins and seven draws. Manager Arsene Wenger has injury problems as usual as midfielder Santi Cazorla and is questionable while forwards Lucas Pérez, Chuba Akpom and Danny Welbeck aren’t expected back until later in November at the earliest. In addition, defender Per Mertesacker is out with a long-term injury and could miss the rest of the season. Defender Hector Bellerin, who recently signed a new contract, is also expected to miss the contest and won’t be back until mid-December.
Bournemouth – A Closer Look:
Bournemouth is sitting mid-table at the moment as they currently occupy 10th place in the 20-team league. They have 15 points from four wins, three draws and five losses with 14 goals scored and 16 allowed. However, they’ve won just one of their last four matches, which was last week in Stoke. Bournemouth has a five-point lead on 18th-place Hull City and the relegation zone, while they’re 13 points adrift of league-leading Chelsea.
Bournemouth has a relatively healthy squad to choose from as defender Rhoys Wiggins is the only player certain to kiss the game. He’s likely out for the entire 2016/17 campaign due to a serious knee injury. Meanwhile, defender Andrew Surman is questionable for the match due to a hamstring problem.
Arsenal vs Bournemouth – Takeaway:
Arsenal needs all three points if they hope to gain ground on Chelsea or at least stay within three points of their London neighbors. Meanwhile, Bournemouth is just trying to stay above the relegation zone again this season and will be happy with a draw on Sunday.
By Ian S. Palmer