ARSENAL NEWS:
Emery’s confidence lies with the broken defense
The Premier League action continues with Arsenal playing host to Bournemouth on Wednesday night with a view to holding their fourth position in the standings. Unai Emery is at a position where he can no longer ignore the top position in the league, now that fans are expecting Gunners to rule on the title as the team has managed to clinch four wins from five league outings. Their only defeat came away at Manchester City but that didn’t affect them as the club is pacing their progress in the Europa League. Unai Emery has to be applauded for his efforts to bind the team together and work on their ethics just to get featured in Champions League during the next campaign and also to earn 35 points from 13 matches which makes them stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Liverpool and Manchester City.
Arsenal is now only seven points away from their arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur and a win on Wednesday will close the gap even further. Before the face-off, the Gunners will have to deal with their broken defence line.
Emery is currently keeping their faith in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette. Efforts are being made to bring Mesut Ozil back on the turf.
Denis Suarez is in line for his first start since a loan move from Barcelona, while Aubameyang should return in attack.
Probable Line-ups: Leno; Maitland-Niles, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Torreira, Guendouzi; Suarez, Ozil, Iwobi; Aubameyang.
Recent Form: WLWLWW
BOURNEMOUTH NEWS:
Eddie Howe’s side is quite far to match any levels as that of Emery. Although their start was a pulsating affair, 11 defeats from 17 matches is a clear indication of a fading art. This definitely raised some question marks on Howe’s future in the club. The talent squad displayed a lack of consistency after dismantling Chelsea and later being dismantled by Cardiff City. Their back to back clashes with Arsenal and Manchester City is a wake-up call for Howe to work for the team’s quick call for action and killing instincts.
Howe might loose his stake at Bournemouth.
David Brooks and Callum Wilson are big misses for the South-coast outfit, but there are enough talented attacking players in this team to end their 270-minute wait for a goal from open play.
Without Jefferson Lerma due to suspension issues, Howe will be relying on Andrew Surman to restore the starting line-up, with Diego Rico or Charlie Daniels on the left-back.
Brooks and Wilson remain unavailable, while Steve Cook is currently dealing with a groin problem and may not be risked.
Probable Line-ups: Boruc; Clyne, Mepham, Ake, Rico; Ibe, Gosling, Surman, Fraser; King; Mousset.
Recent Form: LWWLLD
VENUE:
Time: Feb 27, 2019 at 7.45pm UK
Place: Emirates Stadium.
PLAYERZPOT PREDICTION:
Bournemouth’s dislocated line-up is harmless for Arsenal who will be likely to bring Mesut Ozil back on the turf. And as the history reveals the Gunners have never failed to score in any of their previous clashes with the Cherries.
SCORE PREDICTIONS:
ARSENAL 3-0 BOURNEMOUTH
