As dem end 2025 with full force, Premier League leaders Arsenal go travel go south this Saturday to face Bournemouth for their first match of 2026. The Gunners scatter Aston Villa 4-1 for midweek, while Bournemouth try hard but still no fit end their winless run after 2-2 draw with Chelsea.
Match Preview
Even without Declan Rice for midfield, Arsenal still initially struggle small against Unai Emery Aston Villa side, but once Gabriel Magalhaes score him usual corner goal, match scatter for second half.
Martin Zubimendi, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus all join score sheet as Arsenal drop big statement for title race. That win ensure say Arsenal enter New Year as number one team for England football.
People talk more about Emery no shake Arteta hand after match, but Arteta no send that one. Wetin matter pass be say Arsenal finally convert chances to goals and end 2025 as the team with the highest points for Premier League calendar year (83 points).
The win against Villa mean Arsenal don win six straight matches for all competitions, and four back-to-back league games. But make we talk true, their away form no too clean: just one win from last four Premier League away games.
That one win come against Everton, and overall Arsenal don score for 12 of their 13 away matches for all competitions this season. Only Liverpool manage shut dem out back in August.
Bournemouth too dey consistent for entertainment, but wins no dey follow. Against Chelsea on Tuesday, dem lead, lose lead, fall behind, then fight back for 2-2 draw. All four goals enter before 30 minutes.
That draw extend Bournemouth winless run to 10 league matches. Since dem beat Nottingham Forest for October, Bournemouth don record five draws and five losses, and dem don slide down the table, even though dem still dey nine points clear of relegation.
The bad run don begin affect Andoni Iraola reputation, and worse still, Bournemouth don score just one goal for their last three home games. That stat no sweet at all as Antoine Semenyo dey close to exit the club.
Still, make Arsenal no relax too much. Last season, Bournemouth shock everybody as dem do historic league double over the Gunners, including 2-0 win for this same Vitality Stadium. But Arsenal don score for eight of their other visits here.
Team News
Declan Rice miss Villa match with knee issue but still show face for sidelines. Arteta don downplay the injury and hint say Rice fit return this weekend.
Gabriel Magalhaes should also be fit despite cramp late for Villa match. Other good news for Arsenal be the return of Jurrien Timber, Kai Havertz and Ben White to matchday squad.
However, Cristhian Mosquera (ankle) and Riccardo Calafiori (unspecified) dey ruled out. Youngster Max Dowman wey just turn 16 still dey recover from ankle injury.
Gabriel Jesus score sharp-sharp against Villa after coming on, and e don seriously knock door for starting spot ahead of Viktor Gyokeres. Apart from that, Arteta no likely change too much.
For Bournemouth, Andoni Iraola don confirm say Antoine Semenyo go still be available, despite heavy Manchester City interest.
But Ryan Christie, Ben Gannon-Doak, Veljko Milosavljevic and Tyler Adams all dey injured. Lewis Cook go need late fitness test because of neck problem.
Possible Starting Lineups
Bournemouth:
Petrovic; Smith, Diakite, Senesi, Truffert; Scott, Tavernier; Brooks, Kluivert, Semenyo; Evanilson
Arsenal:
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Jesus, Trossard
Prediction
We say: Bournemouth 1-3 Arsenal
Whether Man City go delay Semenyo move just to allow am face Arsenal, na only dem sabi. But even with the Ghanaian for pitch, Arsenal momentum too strong right now.
The Villa match finally reflect how dangerous this Arsenal side fit be. Against a Bournemouth side without Tyler Adams and still struggling for form, Arteta boys should start 2026 with another loud statement.