🏏 Sat, 11 Apr 2026 12:30 BST
Arsenal FC
vs
AFC Bournemouth
4-2-3-1 vs 4-2-3-1
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- League leaders Arsenal (70 points) host 13th-placed Bournemouth (42 points) at the Emirates. Arsenal are in fine form with four wins and a draw in their last five, and can extend their nine-point cushion over second-placed Manchester City. A chance to tighten their grip on the title race.
- The reverse fixture in Round 20 saw Arsenal come from behind to win 3-2 at the Vitality Stadium. Bournemouth can take confidence from that competitive showing, while Arsenal will want to demonstrate their dominant home form.
- Arsenal are without both Saka and Odegaard. In their absence, summer signing Noni Madueke starts on the right wing and Kai Havertz operates as the number ten in a 4-2-3-1. Eze and Trossard provide quality options from the bench, but missing two creative pillars is a significant challenge.
- Both sides line up in mirror 4-2-3-1 formations, making the battle between the double pivots crucial. Arsenal's Rice and Zubimendi offer stability and distribution, while Bournemouth's Christie and Alex Scott bring relentless pressing intensity. The midfield contest for possession will be key.
- Viktor Gyokeres leads the line for Arsenal. The Swedish international, who scored 97 goals in 102 appearances at Sporting CP, brings physicality and versatile finishing. His aerial duels and hold-up play against Bournemouth's centre-back pairing of Senesi and Hill will be a fascinating contest.
- Junior Kroupi starts on the left for Bournemouth. The 19-year-old, who scored 22 goals in Ligue 2 at Lorient, has brought his explosive pace and clinical finishing to the Premier League. His one-on-one battles with Ben White on Arsenal's right flank will be worth watching.
- Nineteen-year-old Brazilian attacker Rayan starts on Bournemouth's right wing. The left-footed talent, hailed as Brazil's top prospect from Vasco da Gama, faces Arsenal's young left-back Lewis-Skelly in what promises to be an intriguing duel between two emerging talents.
- Arsenal academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly, just 19, starts at left-back ahead of Calafiori and Timber, underlining the trust placed in him. His accurate left-foot passing and overlapping runs add to the attack, but he faces a stern test against the experienced Marcus Tavernier.
- Bournemouth manager Iraola's high-pressing approach has yielded 15 draws this season, reflecting their competitive resilience. How effectively they can press Arsenal's build-up will be pivotal — but if the Gunners can play through the press, clear goalscoring opportunities could follow.