Following the conclusion of the international break, Arsenal will return to Premier League action when they travel to the Vitality Stadium to square off against Bournemouth.
The Gunners are currently in the midst of a hotly contested title race at the summit of the league table – they are currently in third place, just behind Liverpool and Manchester City.
Bournemouth, have surprised audiences this season with their vibrant attacking play – the Cherries are currently 13th in the Premier League table with eight points from seven games.
The last time the two teams met in a competitive capacity, Arsenal ran out as 3-0 victors at the Emirates Stadium back in May. Bukayo Saka scored a penalty on the stroke of half time, as Leandro Trossard and Declan Rice got in on the act in the second half. How will the game play out this season? Arsenal injury news
The Gunners have three players who will miss out on the game at the weekend – Kieran Tierney and Martin Odegaard are both still recovering from their respective injuries, while Neto is ineligible to play against his parent club.
Ben White, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz are all subject to late fitness tests as things stand. Of these five, Havertz is considered the closest to full fitness. Additionally, Jurrien Timber is also undergoing assessment.
On Saka’s injury, Arteta said in an interview featured on Arsenal’s official club website: “It’s not a serious injury. He’s evolving really well. He’s done a few things in the last two days. He wasn’t fit enough to play with the national team the second game but we are hopeful. We have a training session this afternoon, he did some bits yesterday, so let’s see if he can make it on time.”
Meanwhile, Thomas Partey has passed a fitness test and will be fit to play against Bournemouth on Saturday – as such, the Ghanaian international could slot right back into the starting XI.
