Eddie Howe hints he may make 'one or two changes' when Bournemouth face Arsenal

Eddie Howe admits he may be forced to make "one or two changes" when Bournemouth travel to Arsenal on Monday.

The Cherries earned a 0-0 draw at home to Crystal Palace on Boxing Day, but face the Gunners in just two days' time.

Howe does not anticipate any of his injured players returning in time for Monday, but says he may make the most of his small squad to freshen things up after "a really tough game" at the Vitality Stadium.

"It will be difficult, we don't have the biggest of squads," Howe said after the game. "We have to manage the players well and maybe tweak the side slightly.

"Not in terms of returning players from injury. We back our squad, so there may be one or two changes."

Bournemouth kept their third clean sheet of the Premier League season against Palace, and had opportunities through former Eagles striker Glenn Murray to win the game.

Howe was pleased with the defensive performance, but felt his side could have done more to test Palace 'keeper Wayne Hennessey.

"It's not a score you usually associate with Bournemouth but we'll take the clean sheet and the point," Howe continued. "It was a really tough game, both sides in form, and it keeps our unbeaten run going.

"Both defences played well, and both teams worked extremely hard when not in possession to keep their shape and keep chances to a premium.

"I felt we had the best chances of the game, either side of half-time, and we're disappointed not to have tested the 'keeper more from those situations."

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Murray headed wide in the first half, and failed to make the most of a second-half opening after good work from Dan Gosling, but the goalless draw continues Bournemouth's fine recent form.

The Cherries manager insists he has not changed his tactical approach despite the improvement in results as Howe's side have not tasted defeat in the league since November 7.

"When you're six games unbeaten you have to be happy with what you're delivering at this level. There's been no tweak in terms of how we're playing. We are still trying to play expansive football, and to get the balance right between attacking and defending."

Harry Arter was involved in several first-half challenges with Palace winger Wilfried Zaha, and the Bournemouth midfielder was booked by referee Michael Oliver and withdrawn at half-time.

The Cherries boss said he made the decision with Monday in mind, but also conceded that Arter's yellow card shortly before the interval played a part.

"We have two games in three days coming up, and Harry's been out injured for a long period of time before this run in the team so it's a case of managing his workload so we can have him available in both games," Howe continued. "The fact he was on a yellow card, we felt it might be prudent to take him off."