AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth will be hoping to extend their 11-match unbeaten home record in the league when they entertain high-fliers Arsenal at Vitality Stadium on Saturday (5.30pm).
The Cherries kicked off their top-flight campaign with an impressive 2-0 win over Aston Villa a fortnight ago before going down to Manchester City at Etihad Stadium last Saturday.
Victory over Steven Gerrard's team saw the Cherries make it 11 games unbeaten in the league at Vitality Stadium, their best run since 2012/13.
Arsenal and champions City are the only two teams to have won their first two games, the Gunners having beaten Crystal Palace and Leicester City.
Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus have both netted twice this season, new signing Jesus also chipping in with a couple of assists in the 4-2 win over the Foxes.
Former Cherries goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has firmly established himself as the Gunners’ number one since joining them from Sheffield United 12 months ago.
Ahead of tomorrow’s clash, afcb.co.uk caught up with James McNicholas who covers the fortunes of the Gunners for The Athletic.
ARSENAL PROFILE
Founded: 1886
Ground: Emirates Stadium
Nickname: The Gunners
Record appearances: David O’Leary – 722 games (1975-1993)
Record goalscorer: Thierry Henry – 228 goals in 377 games
Head coach: Mikel Arteta (pictured above)
Captain: Martin Odegaard
Last season’s finishing position in Premier League: Fifth
Leading goalscorer: Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus (two in Premier League)
Last game: Arsenal 4-2 Leicester City (Premier League)
afcb.co.uk: Give us a brief summary of Arsenal’s start to the season?
JM: Arsenal come into this game full of confidence.
Only Manchester City have matched their points total thus far – it's a far cry from last season.
At this stage in 2021/22, they had zero points and had not scored a goal.
afcb.co.uk: How is the transfer window panning out for the Gunners?
JM: So far, so good. The new additions from Manchester City, Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko (pictured above), have settled in very quickly.
They’ve also brought William Saliba back from loan, and despite his own goal against Leicester, he has made a very composed start to life in the Premier League.
afcb.co.uk: What can Martin Odegaard (pictured above) bring to the captaincy?
JM: Pure professionalism.
Odegaard was a natural choice for Arteta, partly because he mirrors the dedication the Spaniard applied to his own playing career.
He also demonstrates that with his effort on the field: no Arsenal player has matched the distance covered by Odegaard in each of their opening two games.
afcb.co.uk: Give us your thoughts on Aaron Ramsdale (pictured above)?
JM: Ramsdale has definitely exceeded expectations at Arsenal.
Most thought it might take him a season or two to dislodge Bernd Leno; instead, it happened in a matter of weeks.
The time he spent playing under Eddie Howe at Bournemouth seems to have served him well, particularly when it comes to adaptations to Arsenal’s short-passing game.
afcb.co.uk: Give us your first impressions of Gabriel Jesus (pictured above) in an Arsenal shirt?
JM: He has been electric.
Arsenal have been crying out for a striker with his combination of athleticism and goal threat for some time.
It’s early days, but it looks as if he’s thriving on the new responsibility – typified by the fact he’s been named as one of Odegaard’s immediate deputies as captain.
afcb.co.uk: Are any key players either injured or suspended against the Cherries?
JM: Not as far as we know.
There are, however, a few players still working their way back from injury – Takehiro Tomiyasu (pictured above), Kieran Tierney, Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira – and that may prevent them from starting the game.
afcb.co.uk: Which Arsenal player would you recommend for FPL?
JM: Loathe as I am to be giving out tips, it has to be Gabriel Martinelli (pictured above).
The Brazilian is listed as a midfielder, but really plays as part of a front three.
He’s started the season with two goals in two games and looks to have struck up an effective understanding with Jesus.
afcb.co.uk: How do you see the game panning out and what’s your score prediction?
JM: This will be an interesting test for both teams.
Arsenal looked much more comfortable at home than away last season, and consequently I don’t think any Arsenal fans will be anticipating a procession.
Nevertheless, if Arsenal are serious about achieving their goal of Champions League qualification, this is the kind of game they need to win – and I think they have the quality to do it.
You can follow James on Twitter – @jamesmcnicholas
Officials: Craig Pawson (referee), Marc Perry (assistant), Scott Ledger (assistant), Graham Scott (fourth official), Paul Tierney (VAR).
