The Cherries were really unfortunate to concede a goal so late in the last match after putting up a resilient display against a star-studded Manchester City side. Eddie Howe would want his side to take the positives from it and head into their next game against a struggling Arsenal.
The last time they had welcomed Arsenal, they had conceded three late goals after leading the game by the same number of goals. And with the North London side struggling with defensive performances now, Howe will hope they take advantage of it at the Vitality Stadium.
Bournemouth have lost all three of their games so far and the manager knows the huge problem with starting slowly in the Premier League. It will be very difficult to get back during the end stages where every missed point will just add to the frustration.
It will be an open game surely given the brand of football Arsene Wenger and Howe like to play. Here is the predicted lineup Bournemouth might field for this tie:
Predicted 4-4-2 Bournemouth Line-up vs Arsenal
Defence
The position under the bar is expected to be taken by Asmir Begovic. The Bosnian shot stopper will face compatriot Sead Kolasinac and would hope he gets his first clean sheet of the season. He cannot really complain much about his back line after their intact display against Pep Guardiola’s side.
Their last season’s first choice, Artur Boruc, has moved to the second position. After starting against Birmingham City in the EFL Cup, he is likely to wait till September 19th when the Cherries host Brighton in EFL Cup third round.
Howe will start with a back four in this game as Arsenal don’t boast of a fierce front line as City. The English manager had thrown in all his quality centre halves into the middle- Tyrone Mings, Nathan Ake and Steve Cook. We expect Mings to wake way to the bench. Charlie Daniels and Adam Smith should start on the flanks.
Midfield
Howe had opted for the pivotal duo of Harry Arter and Dan Gosling in the midfield with Andrew Surman playing as a number 10 last game. However, with a more attacking approach, Gosling could see the bench against Arsenal with wingers Marc Pugh and Ryan Fraser coming in. It was all defending against City last game, which is expected to change against Arsenal.
Attack
Howe had decided to start Joshua King alongside the mercurial Jermain Defoe last game and they couldn’t really complement each other. We expect the boss to start with new signing Lys Mousset this time alongside the aged English forward.
