Arsenal look to continue their seven game unbeaten run in all competitions as they host Bournemouth at the Emirates on Sunday.
Arsenal have enjoyed a solid start to the season, only losing once so far this season and sitting in fourth position in the league. However, the Gunners’ position could be much more comfortable if they were more clinical, as out of the seven games played, three have been draws.
Regardless, Unai Emery comes into this game at full confidence. His team are on a impressive unbeaten run, and he saw his youth and players returning from injury shine in the Europa League on Thursday as Arsenal cruised past Belgian side Standard Liège 4-0.
Despite being small in stature compared to the rest of the clubs in the Premier League, Bournemouth has proven season after season that they are here to stay.
Eddie Howe has done an unbelievable job at Bournemouth and has got his side playing lovely attacking football. This playstyle has contributed to Bournemouth’s very impressive start to the season, as the Cherries sit in eighth position in the league.
Both of these sides are in the double digits for goals scored and conceded. This seems promising for a very entertaining fixture, with the potential for plenty of goals.
Unai Emery vs Eddie Howe
This should be a fascinating fixture as both managers have got their sides playing free-flowing attacking football. Whilst this makes uneasy viewing for their fans playing so open, it makes for quality entertainment for the neutral. With the way both teams set out, this could be an end to end game, where the focus will be on how clinical the strikers are, and how resolute the defenders will be, as a plethora of chances for both sides looks a possibility.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang vs Callum Wilson
Two high quality strikers with similar playstyles. Both Aubameyang and Wilson are very quick and strong, meaning they are a defenders nightmare when they hit their full acceleration. Also, both love to play on the shoulder of the defender, so both are very intelligent footballers who will pounce on any mistake made. Being the main strikers in their teams, it will be crucial whoever gets the better opportunities, as both players are ruthless in front of goal. Also, both defences are known to be open, so there could be potential for plenty of chances for both strikers.
Héctor Béllerin vs Ryan Fraser
Arsenal fans would have been so happy to see their right-back makes his long awaited return to the starting eleven on Thursday, where he captained his side. Now back to full match fitness, Béllerin has a difficult opponent in the shape of Ryan Fraser. Fraser is quick and extremely agile, meaning the ball is like a magnet at his feet and this makes it easy for him to beat players. Béllerin does have the pace, but he also needs to have the defensive capabilities to manage a trickster like Fraser. This will be a great test to see how rusty the Spaniard is, but also a chance for Fraser to exploit Béllerin’s lack of game time and get down the Arsenal right flank.
Kieran Tierney vs Harry Wilson
Another return for a player that had to endure a long-term injury, new signing Tierney has looked incredible for Arsenal in his short stints for the Gunners. The 22-year-old Scottish left-back is quick and comfortable on the ball, but also loves to get stuck in and is no stranger to defending. He comes against another rising star for their national side in Harry Wilson. Wilson, who is on loan from Liverpool, has looked very good for Bournemouth and looks very confident on the ball. He has also dazzled the Premier League already with his wand of a left foot, and this is best exhibited in his gorgeous free kicks. The danger that Wilson provides means that Tierney has to be quick to cramp Wilson’s space, and make sure he is not given too much time in the opposition third where he could get a shot on goal.