Bournemouth host Gunners in Boxing Day Premier League clash

Arsenal travel to the Vitality Stadium in Mikel Arteta’s first game as Head Coach.

Arteta will be hoping for the perfect start to his tenure at the Emirates following his appointment as Arsenal manager.

Currently sitting in 11th, the Gunners picked up a point in what was a dismal display against Everton on Saturday and have only won once in their last nine league games.

Bournemouth also come into this game in free fall. The Cherries were beaten at home by Burnley 1-0; their fifth defeat in their last six games. The south coast side’s poor form has seen them drop to 14th in the league, four points clear of the bottom three.

Both teams are certainly in need of some Christmas cheer.

A win for Eddie Howe’s side could see them leapfrog Brighton in the table, who travel to Spurs in the early kick-off. It could also give them some daylight between themselves, and the relegation zone.

A victory too for Arsenal potentially sees them move up as high as ninth in the League.

Arteta’s side have an impressive record against the Cherries. Their only Premier League loss came back in January 2018. The Gunners, came out on top in their previous meeting, A 1-0 victory at the Emirates back in October, their last home victory in the league.

Team news

Bournemouth

The hosts could have up to 10 absentees from their side.

Charlie Daniels, Lloyd Kelly, Arnaut Danjuma Groeneveld and David Brooks have all been sidelined with long term injuries.

Adam Smith is out with an ankle problem and is not expected to feature until the middle of January.

Harry Wilson and Nathan Ake are also unavailable with thigh injuries. Ake is out until January, but Wilson could return for their clash with Brighton and Hove Albion on December 28.

Steve Cook is also a doubt following an injury to his wrist but will have a late fitness test.

Simon Francis and Ryan Fraser could both return. Fraser suffered a knock with Francis sustaining a head injury.

Diego Rico is suspended following his 5th booking of the season against Burnley.

Arsenal

Gunners will be without a recognised left back. Kieran Tierney is unavailable until March following surgery on his shoulder. Sead Kolasinac has damaged ligaments in his ankle will be not be back in training until January.

There will be late assessments on Hector Bellerin, Dani Ceballos and Gabriel Martinelli after picking up thigh injuries.

Rob Holding will also have a late fitness test following an injury to his knee.

Calum Chambers is suspended after he picked up his 5th yellow card of the campaign.

Mesut Ozil is most likely to return after a foot problem sustained against Manchester City.

Eddie Howe on whether Arteta’s lack of managerial experience is an issue for the Spaniard

“The experience side of it, as I found when I first came into the job myself when I was coming up against managers who had had all sorts of games, the game is there to win, regardless of how many games you’ve got behind you.

“He’s taking over a fantastic club with great players and he’ll have his own ideas and philosophies, built up over a number of years of how he wants his team to play.”

Mikel Arteta on the task ahead in Dorset

“We know how tricky that stadium is and how complicated they are going to make it for us but we have to be ready. We analyse opponents, we have to try to nullify them as much as possible, and make, as I said before, as predictable as possible for us so when our players jump in that pitch they know what they are facing.”

Head-to-head

Arsenal Wins: 7

Draws: 8

Bournemouth Wins: 1