With the chance to mathematically secure UEFA Champions League football next season, Arsenal host Bournemouth in Premier League action on Saturday with just four matches remaining in the domestic campaign.
The Gunners, however, will have their full attention on Wednesday's second leg of their Champions League semifinal against Paris Saint-Germain, which will be on the road in the French capital, so Mikel Arteta is likely to rotate his squad heavily.
The likes of Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli, for example, looked to be dragging from a long season in the 1-0 first-leg defeat to PSG on Tuesday and could be primed for a rest. Arteta's options off the bench, however, are severely limited by injuries, so he will have to pick his spots.
MORE: Watch Arsenal vs. Bournemouth in USA on Fubo | Watch in Canada exclusively on Fubo
Despite their sights largely being set on European play, Arsenal can secure a Champions League place for next season with a win against Bournemouth plus a Chelsea defeat to Liverpool the following day.
The Cherries, meanwhile, are at this point likely out of the European chase, as they sit 10th in the table staring at a seven-point deficit to seventh-placed Aston Villa. They have not lost any of their last four league games, but three draws in that spell have left significant points on the table.
Arsenal vs. Bournemouth lineups, predicted starting 11, team news
Arsenal trio Riccardo Calafiori, Jorginho, and Kai Havertz are all training individually, meaning they are eyeing a return soon but might not yet be ready to join the squad. Calafiori seems the closest, potentially returning for this league match against Bournemouth, while the other two are just hoping to be back at some point before the end of the season.
Backup goalkeeper Neto, who is on loan at Arsenal from Bournemouth, will be obligated to sit out against his parent club.
Thomas Partey returns to the Arsenal midfield after being suspended for the first leg of their Champions League semifinal midweek, while Gabriel, Gabriel Jesus, and Takehiro Tomiyasu are all out for the season.
It's likely that Arteta looks to rotate as many of his starters as he can, but the injuries mean he is limited in ways to dip into his squad. Ethan Nwaneri, Ben White, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Kieran Tierney, Raheem Sterling, and Tommy Setford could all be called upon to give a rest to those in line for a start in Paris next week. The potential return of Calafiori would be massive as no one else but White is fit to give the Arsenal centre-backs a game off.
Arsenal predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Raya (GK) — White, Saliba, Kiwior, Tierney — Rice, Merino, Zinchenko — Nwaneri, Sterling, Martinelli
Injured: Gabriel (hamstring), Jesus (knee), Tomiyasu (knee), Havertz (thigh, doubt), Jorginho (chest, doubt)
Suspended: None
Ineligible: Neto (loan stipulation)
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After being sent off with 20 minutes to go against Manchester United, Bournemouth striker Evanilson will be suspended for this game. That leaves the Cherries thin at striker, as Enes Unal is also out for the season with a torn ACL.
Andoni Iraola will hope that Luis Sinisterra can prove fit for this weekend, although he would need to be eased back carefully as he's missed most of the season with a hamstring injury and already suffered a setback in his earlier return back in mid-February.
Lewis Cook returned from injury last weekend off the bench against Man United and could be in line for a start if he's ready to go.
Bournemouth predicted lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Kepa (GK) — A. Smith, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez — Scott, Adams — Semenyo, Kluivert, Ouattara — Tavernier
Injured: Sinisterra (hamstring), Unal (ACL), Christie (groin)
Suspended: Evanilson (red card)
Arsenal vs. Bournemouth live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this Premier League match across selected areas of the world's major regions:
TV channel | Streaming | |
USA | NBC, Telemundo | Fubo USA, Peacock, Telemundo Deportes en Vivo |
Canada | — | Fubo Canada |
UK | Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League | Sky Go Extra |
Australia | — | Optus Sport |
India | Star Sports Select 1 | Disney+ Hotstar, JioCinema |
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