Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth can save Mikel Arteta’s Champions League dream

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal host Bournemouth in the Premier League knowing that three points are vital to their quest in finishing runners-up.

Recent dropped points at home to Brentford and Crystal Palace has seen Mikel Arteta’s side dragged back into the race for a top five finish in the Premier League.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	34	25	7	2	80	32	48	82
2	ArsenalArsenal	34	18	13	3	63	29	34	67
3	Man CityManchester City	35	19	7	9	67	43	24	64
4	NewcastleNewcastle	34	19	5	10	65	44	21	62
5	ChelseaChelsea	34	17	9	8	59	40	19	60
6	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	34	18	6	10	53	41	12	60

Paul Merson is predicting an Arsenal win over Andoni Iraola’s side but the Gunners cannot underestimate the Cherries, who are still pushing for European football next season themselves.

Arteta can scout Bournemouth stars Antoine Semenyo and Dean Huijsen during the game at the Emirates Stadium, with Gunners interest high in both players. However, it is also an opportunity for the boss to prepare his side for Paris.

READ MORE: Forget Mousa Dembele, Kyle Walker says Arsenal star Myles Lewis-Skelly reminds him of another Tottenham hero

Bournemouth similar in style to PSG

As per The Standard, Bournemouth have excelled in pressing teams high in the league this season and winning the ball back in the opposition’s defensive third.

Arsenal struggled against PSG during their Champions League semi-final first leg to beat the press and any direct passes into Leandro Trossard were snuffed out by Marquinhos and Pacho.

Bournemouth win the ball in their attacking third on average 5.9 times per match and are also the highest ranked team for winning turnovers in midfield this season.

The game against the Cherries is perfect preparation for the Gunners to not only secure three vital points in the Premier League but iron out their European game plan for the return leg in France.

How Thomas Partey will influence the Champions League tie

Thomas Partey’s absence for the first leg of the tie against PSG was felt in more ways than one for Arteta’s side.

The Ghanaian midfielder is likely to return to the side against Bournemouth following his European suspension and his ability to receive the ball under pressure and play passes through the lines will be key.

For the tie against PSG, Partey’s presence in midfield will allow Declan Rice and Mikel Merino to push further forward, with the Spaniard likely occupying the false nine position.

Arsenal played more direct following a difficult opening 30 minutes in the first leg and this approach will be key once again to overturning the one goal deficit and progressing into only their second ever Champions League final.