AFC Bournemouth vs Arsenal
Arsenal have started the new Premier League season all guns blazing. Armed with a new striker in Gabriel Jesus, the Gunners have won each of their first two games, the only team apart from champions Manchester City to still have a 100 per cent record intact.
Next up for Mikel Arteta’s men is a trip to the Vitality to face newly promoted Bournemouth, who will be keen to bounce back after getting smashed 4-0 by City last time out.
However, the Premier League 2022 betting odds will not favour Scott Parker’s side as they face the in-form Gunners, who have dominated the Cherries over the years.
Talking Points
Cherries continue to deal with injury concerns
After a surprise 2-0 win over Aston Villa on opening day, Bournemouth were brought back down to earth as they were battered 4-0 away to reigning Premier League champions Manchester City. City had the win clinched well before half-time as they completely stifled the Cherries.
Scott Parker has started the same 3-4-2-1 formation in each of the first two games, although Dominic Solanke and Jordan Zemura were both late drop-outs for the City match. Solanke missed out due to an ankle injury, while Zemura tested positive for Covid. It remains to be seen whether either will make it back in time to face Arsenal.
New signings Joe Rothwell and Ryan Fredricks also missed out, as did David Brooks, who is still on the comeback trail after his Stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis last October. None of them are expected to return over the weekend.
Those absentees have further reduced the available options in Parker’s already limited squad. Ryan Christie got the start up front against City in Solanke’s absence, but the Scottish midfielder doesn’t offer the goal threat that Solanke, who scored 29 goals in the Championship last season, does.
Gunners still perfect through two games
Arsenal have made a perfect start to the Premier League season with two wins out of two. After taking care of business with a 2-0 away win over Crystal Palace, they beat Leicester 4-2 at the Emirates last weekend.
They are the only team aside from champions Manchester City to maintain a perfect record through the first two rounds.
New Gunner Gabriel Jesus provided plenty of Premier League 2022 highlights against the Foxes as he scored two goals and set up the other two. Jesus had a terrific preseason, and Arsenal fans will be glad that form has carried over to the new season.
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s other Brazilian forward, Gabriel Martinelli, has also begun the season in impressive fashion. The 21-year-old has scored in each of the first two games.
Mikel Arteta has named an unchanged starting XI in the first two games of the season, and it’s unlikely he will make any alterations to his lineup amid his side’s current winning streak.
Although, he will be glad to have right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu and Emile Smith Rowe back from injury to provide more options. The two came on as substitutes against Leicester, but they may need to wait to get their first starts of the season.
Ben White has been filling in at right-back in Tomiyasu’s absence, and he will likely continue there with William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes performing well as the central defensive partnership.
History
Arsenal have absolutely dominated Bournemouth over the years. The two sides have met 12 times in total; the Gunners have won nine of those games, with the Cherries coming out on top just once, in 2018.
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last four Premier League meetings, with three wins. They also won their most recent matchup in the FA Cup in 2020. Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah both scored as Arsenal went through with a 2-1 win.
Betting Tip
Despite being away from home, SBOTOP odds still have Arsenal priced at 1.39 to win at the Vitality, making them the biggest favourites in Saturday’s group of Premier League matches. Meanwhile, Bournemouth are pegged at 7.20 and a draw is 4.70.
Arsenal have won both of their matches thus far by two clear goals, and they have a great chance to do so again at newly promoted Bournemouth.
Despite being a bit shorthanded, the Cherries will offer stiff competition, but the Gunners should have enough quality in the final third to pick up another comfortable win.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
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⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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