Arsenal vs Bournemouth. Premier League.
Emirates StadiumAttendance59,978.
Sunday 27 November 2016 13:45, UK
Bournemouth midfielder Jack Wilshere is not eligible to face his parent club Arsenal when the two teams go head-to-head on Nissan Super Sunday.
Wilshere has made 11 appearances for the Cherries in the Premier League this season and has played the full 90 minutes of their last four games but will be absent for their trip to the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal have drawn their last three matches, including ties against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and Manchester United last weekend. The Gunners are yet to record back-to-back wins this season but are on a 18-game unbeaten run.
Bournemouth sit in 10th place after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium last weekend while boss Eddie Howe has admitted Arsenal's style of played has inspired his management.
Team news
Arsenal have no fresh injury concerns and manager Arsene Wenger will pick from the same squad that drew 2-2 against PSG on Wednesday night, although the likes of Theo Walcott, Granit Xhaka and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be pushing to start.
None of the Gunners' injured players are fit enough to return with Santi Cazorla (Achilles), Per Mertesacker and Danny Welbeck (both knee), Hector Bellerin and Lucas Perez (both ankle) are all out.
Bournemouth will be without on-loan midfielder Jack Wilshere, who is not eligible to face his parent club Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Goalkeeper Artur Boruc faces a late fitness test on his back problem, so Adam Federici could come in again, while midfielder Andrew Surman has been struggling with a hamstring injury.
Defender Adam Smith returns from a one-match suspension and midfielder Jordon Ibe is expected to be available following illness. Australia defender Brad Smith (foot) and midfielder Lewis Cook (ankle) both continue their rehabilitation.
Opta stats
Arsenal have won all three of their previous meetings with Bournemouth in all competitions, scoring seven and conceding none.
Mesut Ozil has had a hand in three of Arsenal's four Premier League goals against the Cherries, scoring two and assisting one.
Of current Premier League managers, Arsene Wenger (20 years, 58 days) and Eddie Howe (4 years, 47 days) are the two longest serving managers at their respective clubs (on the day of the game).
When Arsene Wenger took charge of Arsenal on October 1st 1996, Eddie Howe was only 19 years old and had made just five league appearances as a player (all for Bournemouth).
Arsenal have conceded twice as many Premier League goals at home this season (eight) as they have away from home (four).
In his last eight Premier League appearances, Olivier Giroud has attempted eight shots on target and scored with seven of these.
Giroud has scored against 20 of the 25 different teams that he's played against in the Premier League, but Bournemouth are one of the sides that he's yet to score versus in the competition (0 goals, 2 apps).
Bournemouth have hit the woodwork 13 times in the Premier League this season; six more times than any other team.
Arsenal have averaged 163 successful passes in the final third of the pitch per game this season; more than any other side.
The Gunners have seen their substitutes provide five goals and five assists in the Premier League this season; more than any other team.
Arsenal are the only side in the Premier League yet to be losing at half-time in a match this season (winning six, drawing six). In fact, they haven't been behind in a PL game at half-time since February 28th 2016.
Merson's prediction
I think Arsenal, with them being at home, need to win. You just can't afford to draw games in this league.
You need to win games and for me it's a must-win game for Arsenal.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (Sky Bet odds 17/2)
Betting
Arsenal are long odds-on favourites at 2/5 with Sky Bet to beat Bournemouth.
The Cherries are 11/2 for a surprise win at the Emirates, with the draw on offer at 19/5.
The Sky Sports experts have given their top tips to Sky Bet and former Gunner Charlie Nicholas is backing Ozil to score first in a 3-0 win for the home side.
That can be backed at 35/1 and you can check out all their selections and the full range of live odds right here.
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