Arsenal put out a statement with their 4-1 win over Aston Villa last time out, to signal their intent to stay top of the pile while City slowly chase along behind them. 

Arsenal struggled in these sorts of games at this stage last season, with their defeat at the Vitality Stadium being a good example of the type of result they’ll need to correct if they want to go one better this time around. Bournemouth also beat them at the Emirates, so there should be an extra incentive for Arsenal to push for a result here.

Bournemouth have failed to win any of their last 10 matches across all competitions, a run that has sent them spiralling down the table with the Cherries currently sitting 15th in the league.

Arsenal have won five of their nine games on the road this season, and seem to have far more depth to cope with these slightly awkward away assignments, which cost them last season. Bournemouth struggle when a game is at a slower tempo, and are always trying to create chaos, but Arsenal play in the exact opposite way, which should lead to the Gunners nullifying the Cherries and coming away with all three points.

Bournemouth have committed 11+ fouls in 15 of their 19 Premier League matches this season, including in six of their last seven games - with the exception of their 4-1 defeat against Brentford, who are quite a passive side and don’t draw many fouls.

The Cherries press with real intensity, and covered this foul line in both head-to-head meetings with Arsenal last season - committing 28 fouls across these two league clashes. 

Bournemouth committed 12 fouls on their trip to Stamford Bridge last time out, and should be the side doing most of the work without the ball, seeing as Arsenal are averaging nearly 60% of the ball per game. 

Semenyo has had 2+ shots in four of his last five Premier League appearances, netting three goals in this period with these goals taking his tally to nine for the season. Semenyo did have a bit of a dry spell in front of goal before this recent burst, but retained his high shot volume during this off period.

Semenyo has had 45 shots across his 18 Premier League appearances this season (2.50 per 90) with 2+ shots in 12 of his 18 appearances. This could be one of Semenyo’s final games for Bournemouth, with the winger being linked to Manchester City over recent weeks, so that gives him extra incentive to sign off with a statement performance.

Bournemouth were one of the only teams that managed to beat Arsenal both home and away last season, having 22 shots across these games. Semenyo didn’t feature in the clash at the Emirates, but had six shots in Bournemouth’s 2-0 win over Arsenal at the Vitality Stadium last season. Those numbers are a little inflated as Arsenal received a red card, but Semenyo’s shot average and strong recent form should see him cover the shot line here.

Bukayo Saka was fouled three times, the last time that these sides met back in April, more than any other player on the pitch. Bournemouth committed 16 fouls in that game, which is reflective of how aggressive the Cherries are when without the ball. 

Andoni Iraola’s side are averaging 12.5 fouls committed per 90 in the Premier League this term; only Wolves (14.2 per game) are demanding the attention of the referee more often than Bournemouth this season. This is directly linked to how Bournemouth play, with their approach at home being even more intense.

Saka has won 34 fouls across his 17 Premier League appearances this season (2.31 per 90) and has been fouled in four of his last five Premier League matches, drawing 2+ fouls in two of these games. He’ll be lining up against Semenyo and Truffert, who combine to commit 2.98 fouls per 90 in the Premier League this term. 

David Raya is rarely tested in the Arsenal net, with the Spaniard averaging 1.63 saves per 90 and keeping nine clean sheets in the Premier League this season. Raya’s role usually comes down to making the odd crucial save to keep Arsenal in the lead, but Bournemouth can test him more regularly with their high shot volume approach.

The Cherries drew four saves from Robert Sanchez in their 2-2 draw with Chelsea last time out, and are averaging 5.20 shots on target per game in the Premier League this season - only the two Manchester clubs are finding the target more often than Andoni Iraola’s side this term. 

Bournemouth have maintained these attacking numbers throughout a period of poor form, suggesting that they haven’t changed their approach to games despite failing to win any of their last 10 matches. Bournemouth won both home and away against Arsenal last season, suggesting that the Cherries’ formula does bear success against a side as dominant as Arsenal. 

Trossard’s performances have gone under the radar for Arsenal this season, with the 31-year-old registering nine goal contributions across his 11 starts in the Premier League - more than any other Arsenal player.

He’s Arsenal’s top scorer this season with five goals, and also leads the assist charts with four to his name. Trossard registered a goal and an assist against Aston Villa last time out in a man of the match performance.

He should be able to build on that display here, seeing as Bournemouth have only kept one clean sheet across their last 10 matches in all competitions. The Cherries have conceded 11 goals in their last four games, and have now gone 10 games without a victory.

Any fullback that lines up against Bukayo Saka is in for a difficult evening, and the same applies here with Truffert set to face up against the tricky winger. Saka is averaging 2.31 fouls won per 90 in the Premier League this season and has been fouled more frequently than any other Arsenal player. 

Bournemouth are one of the most aggressive sides in the Premier League and are likely to dedicate significant resources to try and stop the progression of Saka, who is still Arsenal’s most dangerous player in the final third. Truffert has collected three yellow cards across his 19 Premier League appearances this season, with all of these cautions coming in a three game spell back in November.

Truffert’s assignment against Bukayo Saka should see his defensive workload increase, fuelling the chances of the French fullback picking up a card here. I’d also expect his foul average (1.08 per 90) to increase here given that he’s up against such a dangerous opponent when it comes to drawing fouls and cautions.