Football

Bournemouth vs Arsenal predicted lineups: Is Bukayo Saka fit to play?

September 29, 2023 10:38 am
Bournemouth vs Arsenal predicted lineups: Is Bukayo Saka fit to play?
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Bournemouth host Arsenal on Saturday afternoon with Andoni Iraola already under pressure after a poor start to the season. The Cherries are winless through six games and are just two points clear of the relegation zone. Life isn’t getting any easier for them, either, as they welcome the unbeaten Arsenal to the Vitality Stadium who will be looking to bounce back from their draw with Tottenham last week.

Bournemouth vs Arsenal predicted lineups and news

Despite being unbeaten so far, Arsenal are already in must-win territory due to the fact Manchester City have won all six of their opening league fixtures. The gap between the two sides currently stands at four points and if it gets any bigger then Arsenal’s title race could be over before it started. The match is set to kick off at 15:00 UK time in what looks set to be a blockbuster day of Premier League football.

Team news: Bournemouth

After winning their Carabao Cup tie in the week, Andoni Iraola might have been hoping to field an unchanged team as his side searches for momentum to get their season properly underway. Unfortunately for Iraola, this isn’t going to be possible as striker, Dominic Solanke, was forced off against Stoke City in the 85th minute with an ankle injury.

After the match, Iraola confirmed that Solanke would likely miss this weekend’s match against Arsenal which leaves him with a decision to make at the top end of the pitch. Kieffer Moore could be in line for a start, however, Antoine Semenyo is more likely to be given the nod.

In terms of other injury concerns, Iraola will be without Alex Scott, Lloyd Kelly, Chris Mepham and Ryan Fredericks which presents him with a defensive headache. However, he will be able to call upon the services of Tyler Adams to protect his makeshift back four. The American came off the bench against Stoke and is fit to start on Saturday.

Bournemouth predicted lineup

Neto, Aarons, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez, Cook, Billing, Adams, Tavernier, Ouattara, Semenyo

Team news: Arsenal

Last weekend, Mikel Arteta suffered two disappointing injuries when Declan Rice was forced off at halftime and Buyako Saka was taken off in stoppage time. Neither player was involved midweek in the Carabao Cup and Arteta is yet to confirm whether either of them will play a part against Bournemouth.

If Saka isn’t fit enough to start the match, then Reiss Nelson could get his first league start of the season while Jorginho would the obvious replacement for Rice given that Thomas Partey remains unavailable with a groin injury. Other players on the treatment table include Emile Smith-Rowe, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli and Jurrien Timber.

Aside from injuries, Arteta has a difficult decision to make in relation to his goalkeeper. David Raya and Aaron Ramsdale have been rotating in recent weeks with Raya starting last weekend’s North London derby and Ramsdale starting the Carabao Cup match against Brentford on Wednesday. The Spaniard is expected to start this one but it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if Arteta went with Ramsdale.

Arsenal predicted lineup

Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Vieira, Odegaard, Nelson, Jesus, Nketiah

Will Bukayo Saka play?

When Buyako Saka was taken off in stoppage time against Tottenham last weekend, not many people thought it was due to an injury, however, Arteta confirmed in the week that his star winger is suffering with a foot injury. Arteta has said that Saka was struggling to walk after the North London derby and he didn’t feature at all against Brentford on Wednesday night.

The latest update on Saka’s fitness has come from the man himself via Instagram. The England winger posted a picture on his story of him working in the gym which indicates he is at least in training which will give hope to Arsenal fans.

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