Overview
Arsenal will find ways to continue their recovery momentum after a period of decline when hosting Bournemouth at the Emirates in the Premier League round this weekend.
Two consecutive defeats - against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final and Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals - once made Mikel Arteta's team face many doubts. However, the 1-0 victory over Sporting CP in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, with a late goal by Kai Havertz, helped the London team regain confidence.
The results in Lisbon are not only meaningful in terms of expertise but also an important spiritual boost before the decisive stage of the season. Arsenal is aiming to maintain their leading position and get closer to the Premier League title, in the context that they have the opportunity to increase the gap with Man City if they win all 3 points one day earlier than their opponent.
Havertz also admitted that the recent victory came at the right time. Arsenal needed a boost to overcome the disappointment in the previous few weeks, and called on the whole team to unite for the final sprint.
However, Bournemouth is not an easy opponent. Coach Andoni Iraola's team is in the middle of the rankings but still has a chance to compete in the European Cup group. The 11-match unbeaten streak shows remarkable stability, even though they have drawn in the last 5 consecutive matches.
If they continue to draw, Bournemouth will become the first team since 2009 to draw 6 consecutive matches in the Premier League. In their squad, Eli Junior Kroupi is a notable name when he has scored 9 goals this season and is facing the opportunity to become the first teenage player to reach the milestone of 10 goals in his debut season since Robbie Keane.
In terms of strength, Bournemouth hopes to have Kroupi return from injury, while Tyler Adams and Lewis Cook are also racing against time.
On Arsenal's side, the condition of Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber will be further assessed after both are absent from the match against Sporting. And the final decision may significantly affect Arteta's approach to the match.
Head-to-head record
Last season, Arsenal unexpectedly lost 1-2 to Bournemouth right at the Emirates, thereby ending their 8-match winning streak at home against this opponent in all competitions.
In that match, Declan Rice opened the scoring for the "Gunners" - also his fifth goal against Bournemouth in the Premier League. Notably, the English midfielder directly participated in 7 goals against Bournemouth, more than any other opponent in his career.
For Bournemouth, that victory is part of a 2-match winning streak against Arsenal - a superior achievement compared to their having only won 1 in 14 previous encounters in the Premier League.
However, in the first leg in January this season, Arsenal successfully avenged the debt. Evanilson helped Bournemouth open the score early, but Gabriel Magalhaes quickly brought the match back to balance. After that, Declan Rice shone with a double, helping the "Gunners" win, despite Kroupi's late effort to narrow the score.
Score prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Bournemouth
The match between Arsenal and Bournemouth takes place at 6:30 p.m. on April 11 (Vietnam time).
