Arsenal show resilient side to overcome Bournemouth
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Arsenal extended their unbeaten run to 17 games in all competitions on Sunday with a 2-1 victory at Bournemouth that moved them within a point of the Premier League's top four.
The home team's record signing Jefferson Lerma, who cost £25m in August, scored a spectacular own goal to give Arsenal the lead but Norwegian international Josh King, back in the Bournemouth side after injury, equalised just before half-time.
That meant Unai Emery's team have still never led at the halfway stage of a league game since he joined in the close-season.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang slid in the Gunners' second goal in the 68th minute and their three-man back line held out, although Lerma hit a post.
Arsenal can make up ground on their big local rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who are still three points ahead of them, by winning the north London derby next weekend.
Bournemouth stayed eighth after a third successive defeat in a testing period, with fixtures against Manchester City and Liverpool to come in the first eight days of December.
Reuters
It's Bournemouth vs Arsenal from 1.30pm. Team news and full build-up coming shortly, but in the meantime here's the latest from the Arsenal camp:
The teams are in!
Bournemouth: Begovic; Francis, Cook, Ake, Daniels; Brooks, Gosling, Lerma, Fraser; King, Wilson
Arsenal: Leno; Bellerin, Mustafi, Holding, Sokratis; Torreira, Xhaka; Iwobi, Mkhitaryan, Kolasinac; Aubameyang
The race for Europe
A win for Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium today would take them to within a point of Arsenal and up to sixth in the Premier League.
The Gunners, meanwhile, are looking to close the gap on Chelsea in fourth, after Maurizio Sarri's side were beaten by Tottenham last night.
No Ozil
Mesut Ozil drops to the bench for Arsenal, and there is no sign of Alexandre Lacazette.
For the hosts, Joshua King makes his first start since the end of October.
All-out attack
This shouldn't be a cagey encounter. Both of these teams are at their best when on the front foot, not when trying to hold on to a lead.
Bournemouth, under Eddie Howe, are a team capable of scoring goals against the best in the division, so the Gunners will no doubt be wary of the threat they pose. Expect goals in this one.
Back on track
Bournemouth, after a superb start to the season, have dropped off slightly in recent weeks. Back-to-back defeats against Manchester United and Newcastle brought them back down to earth, but a win here would put them back on track.
Similarly, Arsenal have found victories hard to come by of late. They have drawn their last three league games, but they have an opportunity now to move within a point of Chelsea.
The teams are out at the Vitality and we're moments away from kick off...
Bournemouth get us underway. Can the hosts get off to a quick start?
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments