How Arsène Wenger, who will again be peering from the stands, would love a victory after the nightmare in Nottingham. Arsenal are winless in four in all competitions – their longest barren run since a streak of five starting in February 2016 – and that could easily continue. Eddie Howe can count on making chances with ease against Wenger’s notional defence and that could be enough as the burden of Arsenal’s successes may no longer be able to lie squarely on Alexis Sánchez’s shoulders. The dream of an easier life in Manchester may prove too much of a distraction even if he does play. Graham Searles
Kick-off Sunday 1.30pm
Venue Vitality Stadium
Last season Bournemouth 3 Arsenal 3
Live Sky Sports PL
Referee Kevin Friend
This season G11, Y26, R0, 2.36 cards per game
Odds H 7-2 A 4-6 D 3-1
Bournemouth
Subs from Boruc, Federici, Ramsdale, Pugh, Afobe, Hyndman, Mahoney, Simpson, Mousset, A Smith, Ibe, L Cook, Gosling, B Smith
Doubtful King (hamstring), Stanislas (hamstring)
Injured Defoe (ankle, Feb), Mings (back, unknown)
Suspended None
Form LLLDWD
Discipline Y36 R1
Leading scorer Wilson 5
Arsenal
Subs from Ospina, Macey, Iliev, Debuchy, Mavropanos, Mertesacker, Elneny, Ramsey, Nelson, Akpom, Walcott, Sánchez, Özil
Doubtful Özil (knee), Wilshere (ankle)
Injured Koscielny (achilles, 20 Jan), Kolasinac (ankle, 24 Jan), Giroud (hamstring, 27 Jan), Monreal (ankle, 27 Jan), Cazorla (achilles, unknown)
Suspended None
Form DWDWDD
Discipline Y34 R0
Leading scorers Lacazette, Sánchez 7
