Bournemouth V Arsenal - Preview and possible lineups

Bournemouth: Attacking duo Josh King and Junior Stanislas will undergo late fitness tests ahead of the game, but the 'Cherries' are thoguht to be optimistic that both will be fit to start. Jermain Defoe and Tyrone Mings both returned to training this week but won't be risked for this one.

Arsenal: Midfielder Jack Wilshere, who spent last season on loan at Bournemouth, could start after it emerged that his ankle injury suffered in the League Cup was not as bad a first feared. Playmaker Mesut Ozil is unlikely ot feature due to a knee injury, but there is some good news for the '0Gunners', with both Aaron Ramsey and Sead Kolasinac available following thigh and knee injuries respectively. Santi Cazorla (achilles), Olivier Giroud (thigh), Nacho Monreal (calf) and Laurent Koscielny (knock) all remain sidelined. Star man Alexis Sanchez has been dropped from the squad, with reports claiming he is keen on a move to Manchester United.

Did you know?

Bournemouth have never beaten Arsenal in six previous encounters and have conceded at least twice in all six games.

The thoughts of Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe:

"Last season's meeting was an incredible one to be part of. We showed two sides, our quality for 60-70 minutes and then theirs for the last 20.

"Hopefully this year, we're due a performance and then the result comes with it. But it's never easy, we're going to need to bring our A-game that's for sure. Hopefully we've built a bit of momentum in recent games, being unbeaten in four.

"I think we need to take some of the positives we've gathered in recent weeks and launch that at Arsenal."

The thoughts of Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger:

"Last year was a spectacular game, when it finished 3-3.

"They are a team who have a bit more difficulty this season but down there (at the Vitality Stadium) they can make it difficult for anybody."

Form:

Possible lineups:

Bournemouth: Begovic, Francis, Cook, Ake, Daniels, Arter, Surman, Stanislas, King, Fraser, Wilson.

Arsenal: Cech, Chambers, Mustafi, Holding, Bellering, Wilshere, Xhaka, Maitland-Niles, Welbeck, Lacazette, Iwobi.