Arsenal’s Premier League campaign resumes on Saturday afternoon as Mikel Arteta’s side host Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners responded to back-to-back cup defeats by beating Sporting CP in the Champions League in midweek, courtesy of a late Kai Havertz winner.
The result puts the North London outfit in a strong position to progress into the last four of Europe’s elite club competition next week, although Arteta’s squad now have to turn their attentions back to the intense title race they are embroiled in.
The fixture schedule doesn’t get any kinder for Arsenal, as this weekend sees them face a Bournemouth side that haven’t lost since January.
Read More: Arsenal vs Bournemouth: TV channel, kick-off time & how to watch
Andoni Iraola’s team are on an impressive run, and while they may still be languishing in lower-mid table, they’ve just enjoyed a three-week rest since their last fixture and will therefore be fresh and raring to go when making the trip to N5. Here are the key battles we believe could be pivotal in dictating the outcome of the game at the Emirates on Saturday.
Riccardo Calafiori vs Rayan
Bournemouth lost their talisman and best attacker in January when Antoine Semenyo opted to swap the south coast for the north-west by signing for Manchester City. This departure has obviously hurt the Cherries, although they appear to have identified an adept replacement in the form of Brazilian winger Rayan.
The 19-year-old is quick, rangy and an excellent dribbler, and is arguably the player Arsenal have to be most weary of when they face Iraola’s outfit. He’ll be deployed off the right, and thus, it’ll be up to Riccardo Calafiori to negate him.
That said, the Italian wasn’t pictured in Gunners training on Thursday and may not be available to feature in this clash, meaning Myles Lewis-Skelly may have a difficult job on his hands up against Rayan.
Noni Madueke vs Adrien Truffert
While Bournemouth lost their talisman in January, Arsenal are likely to be without theirs once again. Saka wasn’t spotted in Gunners training on Thursday, and has missed each of the last two matches through injury.
Noni Madueke will step up in Saka’s absence, and he’ll be up against one of the most accomplished Premier League left-backs. Adrien Truffert was acquired by the Cherries as a replacement for Milos Kerkez last summer, and has arguably been better than the Hungarian ever was.
Madueke is Arsenal’s best player at creating separation from his full-back and unlocking a defence through dribbling, and this the outcome of this individual battle could decide the match.
Declan Rice vs Alex Scott
Alex Scott has improved tenfold this season, partnering Tyler Adams in the middle of the park for much of this campaign. The former Bristol City star earned his first England call-up in November, and his combative style is key to Bournemouth’s high-octane pressing structure.
In many ways, Scott shares similarities to his counterpart Declan Rice. If the Arsenal can outmuscle his international teammate, then the Gunners have a good chance of being able to overpower Bournemouth in midfield.
| Statistics | Declan Rice | Alex Scott |
| Minutes | 2585 | 2323 |
| Goals/Assists | 4/5 | 2/1 |
| Pass success rate (%) | 87.8 | 84 |
| Tackles + interceptions per 90 | 2.9 | 2.6 |
| Key passes per 90 | 1.9 | 1.3 |
| Clearances per 90 | 2.2 | 2.2 |
| Overall rating | 7.32 | 6.85 |
It won’t be easy for Rice, though, given that Martin Zubimendi – his engine room partner for much of the campaign – has often looked gassed recently. The Arsenal man will, as always, be vital to win his battle and that could be the difference between a simple afternoon and a tricky encounter.
