Given Bournemouth will be Mikel Arteta’s first ever game in management, it is difficult to predict how he will set Arsenal up.
The lack of options at the back, however, means the defence is likely to contain Bukayo Saka at left-back with Sokratis and David Luiz the centre-backs. Calum Chambers is suspended.
At right-back, Hector Bellerin is due to return after recovering from injury but Ainsley Maitland-Niles has improved in recent weeks and could keep his place.
The midfield pair of Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira should keep their spots after starting at Everton, with Matteo Guendouzi on the bench.
In attack is where the most questions lie about what team Arteta will pick for this trip to Bournemouth.
Mesut Ozil missed the draw at Everton through injury, but Freddie Ljungberg revealed he would have been dropped anyway after his reaction to be subbed against Manchester City.
Arteta may look to bring the German in from the cold now he's fit for this Boxing Day clash, while Nicolas Pepe is another who could return.
Gabriel Martinelli is hoping to be ready in time after complaining of a tight hamstring and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang should lead the line.
Arsenal predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Bellerin, Sokratis, Luiz, Saka; Torreira, Xhaka; Pepe, Ozil, Martinelli; Aubameyang.
