Premier League: Arsenal Look South to Get Back on the Winning Trail

Bournemouth vs Arsenal

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal head to the South Coast resort of Bournemouth on Saturday in search of a much-needed victory.

The Gunners ran Manchester City close for the 2023 Premier League title having led the race for much of the campaign. This time around, after six rounds of games, Arsenal are in fifth place and four points behind the Sky Blues who have posted a perfect set of Premier League 2023 results. 

So this is a match, against 17^th placed opponents, Arsenal need to win but Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has his own pressure to deal with and he too needs a result. The Cherries have taken three points from their opening six league games and have a testing Carabao Cup tie against Stoke City to come on Wednesday. The Gunners are away to Brentford in the cup. 

Both teams had challenging days in the last round of Premier League matches; Arsenal drew 2-2 with Spurs in a pulsating North London derby, while Bournemouth lost 3-1 to Brighton and Hove Albion after taking an early lead.    

Talking Points

Arteta wants Gunners to be more ruthless

The North London derby was always going be a huge test for Arsenal’s title chasers, against a Tottenham team which has been rejuvenated under Ange Postecoglou and started the game, and ended it, ahead of the Gunners on goal difference. Arsenal twice went ahead, though an own goal and a penalty converted by Bukayo Saka, but both times were pegged back as Heung-Min Son scored a brace.

Arteta has warned his strikers they must make the most of their chances, they had 13 shots against Tottenham and six on target, but only Saka’s spot kick beat the Spurs stopper. In Saka and Martin Odegaard, Arsenal have two dangerous forwards but maybe they need an out and out striker. Both Eddie Nketiah and the fit again Gabriel Jesus can lead a line but Arteta is pondering a move for Brentford goal machine Ivan Toney, when his suspension ends in January.

At the other end of the pitch, Arsenal have started each of the last two games with David Raya in goal; and it remains to be seen whether Arteta sticks with the Spaniard or rotates to bring Aaron Ramsdale back. The Gunners boss has far-reaching ambitions. He wants to win the Premier League and his team is one of the favourites for the Champions League too; so he is working tirelessly to find the right combinations all over the pitch.      

How much pressure is Iraola under?

Last season the Cherries sacked head coach Scott Parker just four games into the season. Parker won his opener against Aston Villa but then lost heavily to Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool. He had been critical of the lack of investment at the club and when the sword fell Gary O’Neill took over.

13 months on and Bournemouth have three points again, but from two games more, so should new boss Andoni Iraola be worried?

Apparently not, according to the man himself.

The former Rayo Vallecano boss says he has peace of mind and isn’t concerned, as he has signed a deal until 2025. But the Premier League can be an unforgiving place to be when you need results and Arsenal is one of the last teams you’d want to meet when you need a result. Iraola took over at Dean Court following the departure of O’Neil and the club has backed him, spending upwards of £110m on players, the biggest outlay on midfielder Alex Scott who cost £25m, while Justin Kluivert arrived from Roma and Hamed Traore from Sassuolo.    

Already at the club, Dominic Solanke is the most dangerous striker the Cherries have and, with three goals this season he’s made a fast start. Iraola needs the former Liverpool man to hit double figures to give his team the best chance of survival.

History

With ten wins, two draws and one defeat from the last 13 encounters, Arsenal have bossed the head to head matches with the Cherries, and they have won the last three, including a 3-0 win at Dean Court last season as Martin Odegaard bagged a brace.

The latest Premier League 2023 betting odds rate Arsenal as third favourites for the 2024 league title, behind Manchester City and Liverpool; and their early season form makes that about right. The Gunners have won four and drawn two of the last six, while the Cherries have won one, drawn two and lost three in all competitions.      

Betting Tip

With the hosts at SBOTOP odds of 5.41, Arsenal at 1.48 and the draw at 3.83 this looks like an away win and that’s where I’m heading. The Gunners have been in fine form and will be angry after they failed to put Spurs away, while the Cherries are yet to blossom.    

 

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