Arsenal resume their Premier League title charge with a home game against Bournemouth on Saturday at 12:45pm.
The Gunners sit nine points clear at the top of the table, though they have played a game more than second-placed Manchester City.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Bournemouth
Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Havertz, Martinelli.
Mikel Arteta’s men went into the international break in top form, winning their past four league matches. But they returned in indifferent form across all competitions.
The Gunners were knocked out of the FA Cup by Southampton last weekend, before narrowly beating Sporting CP in their Champions League quarter-final first leg.
Arsenal team news vs Bournemouth
Arteta has a big decision to make ahead of Bournemouth’s visit. Arsenal aren’t secure in the Champions League, so the Spaniard will have one eye on their second leg. But he also won’t want to pass up the opportunity to put pressure on Man City in the title race.
There’s also the fact that Arsenal were beaten by Southampton last weekend with a rotated side. Piero Hincapie and Mikel Merino are set to miss out through injury, with the latter expected to be out for the rest of the season.
Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Jurrien Timber are all doubts — and they may not be risked from the start. The aim will be to get them involved at some stage from off the bench, to ensure freshness for the Champions League.
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So Noni Madueke is likely to start again on the right side of Arsenal’s attack, with Gabriel Martinelli on the left. Kai Havertz could start through the middle after his impact off the bench in midweek. Not to mention Gabriel Jesus’ struggles against Southampton.
The midfield three could remain the same as against Sporting CP, with a lack of options. Christian Norgaard may hope to get a rare start, but he was another to underwhelm in the FA Cup defeat.
David Raya will continue in goal, with Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori as the full-backs. There could be a change in the centre-back pairing, though, with Cristhian Mosquera offering a chance to rotate.
A big moment for Arsenal
A win for Arsenal over Bournemouth this weekend will be some way to securing the Gunners’ first league title in over 20 years. Although Man City will have two games in hand, a 12-point gap will look very hard to close.
All signs are pointing to Arsenal finally ending their drought. Opta have given the Gunners a 97.29% chance of taking the title this season. And time is running out for their challengers.
Arsenal will be wary of Bournemouth. The Cherries are unbeaten in their past 11 league games, their joint-longest such run in the Premier League. Bournemouth have also won two of their last three league games against Arsenal, including their most recent trip to the Emirates.
But Bournemouth have drawn their past five. And Arsenal have won their past four league games, seeking a run of five straight victories for the third time this season.