the short fuse 
04-05-2024 11:58
04-05-2024 11:58
Arsenal vs. Bournemouth match thread: keep up the pressure
Arsenal host Bournemouth at the Emirates, seeking to lay down an earlier marker for the weekend and keep the pressure on Manchester City. That’s all the Gunners can do at this point — win the matches in front of them and hope that City drop points. Bournemouth, led by Mikel Arteta’s childhood friend Andoni Iraola, are having a great season. They’re all the way up in 10th and just handed Brighton a 3-0 loss last weekend.
When the two sides met at the end of September, Arsenal cruised to a 4-0 victory with two goals in each half. Bukayo Saka and Ben White scored from open play, Martin Ødegaard and Kai Havertz scored from the penalty spot. That was a bit of conversation around the Havertz penalty because Arsenal gave him the spot kick in an attempt to get him rolling on the scoresheet. Since that loss, the Cherries have earned more points than all but five other teams in the Premier League.
The Emirates has been a tough destination for Bournemouth — the club have never won a Premier League game at the ground. The Cherries have struggled against the Gunners in the league, generally, only managing one win and two draws to go along with 11 losses in 13 matches between the clubs.
Bournemouth are at their best when the can play quickly, usually on the counter. That also applies to more direct, non-counterattacking play. If you slow them down, make them possess the ball, and move it around to unlock a defense, they can struggle. Their main threat is the man up top, Dominic Solanke, who has 18 goals this season, good for 5th-most in the Premier League. Antoine Semenyo and Justin Kluivert, the Cherries usual wingers, have 8 and 7 goals apiece. That trio are a menace against unsettled defenses but can lack the passing quality and combinations, especially without a true technician alongside them, to break down structure.
It feels as if Arsenal have been a bit more open of late than earlier in the season, even if the defensive boxcar numbers have remained mostly the same. Opposing xG has ticked up slightly, but the Gunners are still holding their foes to precious few shots on target. A return to the stifling press and suffocating defense in the middle third would go a long way against the Cherries. It’s tough to be good on the break when the breaks are snuffed out before they can begin. I’ve been consistently impressed with how quickly Arsenal get back into shape too, another quality that will help against a Bournemouth team that look to hit fast.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the last time out at the Emirates against Bournemouth. The Gunners conceded on the opening move of the match and went down 2-0 in the 57th minute. It looked as if the title charge was going to take a damaging blow against an unlikely opponent, but the Gunners roared back. Thomas Partey and Ben White scored to level the game, then Reiss Nelson scored that goal.
I wonder how long I’ll be able to dine out on that one. I’d very much like it if Arsenal don’t need similar heroics today.
Arsenal are fully healthy for the first time all season. Jurrien Timber did not play for the U21s last night but does not make the matchday squad.
Bournemouth will be without a number of players. Luis Sinisterra (hamstring), Tyler Adams (back), Marcus Tavernier (muscle problem), Chris Mepham (illness), Ryan Fredericks (calf), and Milos Kerkez (red card) all miss out for the visitors.
WHAT: Arsenal vs. Bournemouth WHERE: The Emirates WHEN: Saturday, May 4th 4:30 am PT | 7:30 am ET | 12:30 pm GMT US TV: USA and UNIVERSO. Streaming on Peacock.
For all your international streaming needs, check LiveSoccerTV.com. Please do not share or discuss links to illegal streams here.
Arsenal - Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu, Rice, Partey, Ødegaard, Saka, Trossard, Havertz Bournemouth - Travers, Cook, Solanke, Christie, O. Dango, Scott, Smith, Kluivert, Semenyo, Senesi, Zabarnyi
When the two sides met at the end of September, Arsenal cruised to a 4-0 victory with two goals in each half. Bukayo Saka and Ben White scored from open play, Martin Ødegaard and Kai Havertz scored from the penalty spot. That was a bit of conversation around the Havertz penalty because Arsenal gave him the spot kick in an attempt to get him rolling on the scoresheet. Since that loss, the Cherries have earned more points than all but five other teams in the Premier League.
The Emirates has been a tough destination for Bournemouth — the club have never won a Premier League game at the ground. The Cherries have struggled against the Gunners in the league, generally, only managing one win and two draws to go along with 11 losses in 13 matches between the clubs.
Bournemouth are at their best when the can play quickly, usually on the counter. That also applies to more direct, non-counterattacking play. If you slow them down, make them possess the ball, and move it around to unlock a defense, they can struggle. Their main threat is the man up top, Dominic Solanke, who has 18 goals this season, good for 5th-most in the Premier League. Antoine Semenyo and Justin Kluivert, the Cherries usual wingers, have 8 and 7 goals apiece. That trio are a menace against unsettled defenses but can lack the passing quality and combinations, especially without a true technician alongside them, to break down structure.
It feels as if Arsenal have been a bit more open of late than earlier in the season, even if the defensive boxcar numbers have remained mostly the same. Opposing xG has ticked up slightly, but the Gunners are still holding their foes to precious few shots on target. A return to the stifling press and suffocating defense in the middle third would go a long way against the Cherries. It’s tough to be good on the break when the breaks are snuffed out before they can begin. I’ve been consistently impressed with how quickly Arsenal get back into shape too, another quality that will help against a Bournemouth team that look to hit fast.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the last time out at the Emirates against Bournemouth. The Gunners conceded on the opening move of the match and went down 2-0 in the 57th minute. It looked as if the title charge was going to take a damaging blow against an unlikely opponent, but the Gunners roared back. Thomas Partey and Ben White scored to level the game, then Reiss Nelson scored that goal.
I wonder how long I’ll be able to dine out on that one. I’d very much like it if Arsenal don’t need similar heroics today.
Arsenal are fully healthy for the first time all season. Jurrien Timber did not play for the U21s last night but does not make the matchday squad.
Bournemouth will be without a number of players. Luis Sinisterra (hamstring), Tyler Adams (back), Marcus Tavernier (muscle problem), Chris Mepham (illness), Ryan Fredericks (calf), and Milos Kerkez (red card) all miss out for the visitors.
WHAT: Arsenal vs. Bournemouth WHERE: The Emirates WHEN: Saturday, May 4th 4:30 am PT | 7:30 am ET | 12:30 pm GMT US TV: USA and UNIVERSO. Streaming on Peacock.
For all your international streaming needs, check LiveSoccerTV.com. Please do not share or discuss links to illegal streams here.
Arsenal - Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu, Rice, Partey, Ødegaard, Saka, Trossard, Havertz Bournemouth - Travers, Cook, Solanke, Christie, O. Dango, Scott, Smith, Kluivert, Semenyo, Senesi, Zabarnyi