Arsenal travel to the south coast to face AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League, and this match feels important for both teams, but for very different reasons. One side is chasing the title, while the other is fighting to move further away from danger. With momentum, pressure, and history all in play, this should be an interesting contest at the Vitality Stadium.
For Arsenal, the target is clear. They want three points to stay strong in the title race. Mikel Arteta’s team have looked sharp in recent weeks, showing confidence in attack and control in midfield. Arsenal are scoring goals more freely now, and their overall balance looks better than earlier in the season. Matches like this are often seen as “must-win” games for teams chasing the top spot, and Arsenal will know they cannot afford to slip.
Arsenal’s attacking players will be key again. Their wide players like to stretch the pitch, while the midfield tries to control possession and set the tempo. If Arsenal score early, they usually grow into the game and become very hard to stop. However, away games are never easy in the Premier League, especially against teams with nothing to lose.
Stats & Facts
- Arsenal enters the first match of 2026 at the top of the Premier League table with 45 points after 19 games.
- Bournemouth is currently on a 10-game winless streak in the Premier League, with their last victory occurring in late October 2025.
- Bournemouth “did the double” over Arsenal during the 2024/25 season, winning 2–0 at home and 2–1 at the Emirates Stadium.
- Arsenal finished the 2025 calendar year with 83 Premier League points, the highest total of any team in the division.
- The Gunners possess the best defensive record in the league this season, conceding only 12 goals in 19 matches.
- Arsenal has scored 20 or more set-piece goals (excluding penalties) in two consecutive calendar years (2024 and 2025).
Team News
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice picked up an injury during the last game and will miss the match against AFC Bournemouth. However, the injury is not severe, and the manager hopes to get him back next week. Jurrien Timber, Kai Havertz, and Ben White are finally back in the squad and are available for selection in the match against Bournemouth, but Cristhian Mosquera (ankle) and Riccardo Calafiori are still injured.
As for Bournemouth, Semenyo has been the biggest star for them. Many top clubs are exploring the options to sign them, and Semenyo will likely leave the club during the winter transfer window. However, the manager confirmed that Semenyo will play tomorrow against the Gunners. The Cherries will miss the service of Ben Gannon-Doak, Veljko Milosavljevic, and Tyler Adams due to their respective injuries.
Possible Lineup for Bournemouth:
Petrovic; Smith, Diakite, Senesi, Truffert; Scott, Tavernier; Brooks, Kluivert, Semenyo; Evanilson
Possible Lineup for Arsenal:
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Jesus, Trossard
Prediction: Bournemouth 0-3 Arsenal
Arsenal have been solid throughout the season and have won their last four consecutive matches in the league. Meanwhile, the Gunners have a rock-solid defensive lineup, which could be impossible for the Cherries to break. Bournemouth, on the other hand, failed to win any of their last 10 matches in the league. So it should be an easy task for the Gunners to secure three points at Vitality Stadium.
Betfair Odds
Bournemouth: 9.11
Draw: 4.50
Arsenal: 1.20
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