MATCH PREVIEW: Bournemouth v Arsenal; How to Beat Howe

Unai Emery’s Arsenal have the difficult task of taking the three points against an AFC Bournemouth team that has experienced a huge improvement in the past few years and has one of the youngest, most prospective and motivated managers in the modern football.

Being only four points apart in the table (Arsenal fifth and Bournemouth sixth) both teams have a lot to prove. The Arsenal that it could get back in the top four and the Cherries that they can keep growing and stay in top 10 and why not, dream for a place in Europe?

Eddie Howe’s football intelligence should not be underestimated as the young manager started his managerial job with nothing and now the Cherries are sitting above Manchester United. This is a result of a huge determination and a right vision. A result of taking the right decisions at the right time.

He is a perfectionist and Emery should be aware that probably every detail of his work is already explored from a special team of video analysts. The Bournemouth players have already put an enormous effort in training, and this is not going to be an easy game.

But what are the teams’ tactical approaches and what should they be aware of?

Arsenal Setup

It all depends on what formation Unai Emery is about to choose, but expect him to stick to his favourite 4-2-3-1, although a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 one could be more successful against the Cherries.

The team needs to build up from the back. But for that purpose, they might need to change the formation in possession. With some support from, let’s say Torreira, the centre duo would have a huge role in sending the ball through the next line. This way, Xhaka and the full-backs would have the freedom to join the wingers and help with the pressing while trying to keep the possession of the ball.

If Xhaka and the winger (Iwobi in the best case scenario) try to exploit their opponents on their right side, this would create more space for Bellerin to operate in their left area where he could use his speed and take advantage of the gaps left.

Another way to create some open space is using the frontline to pin the defensive line back so when Torreira, Xhaka or Bellerin joins, the defenders could step up to mark their opponent and leave a gap that some of the forwards can exploit.

When out of possession, the defensive line should be highly positioned, so if Bournemouth’s players try to play out from the back, the Gunners could apply high press and not allow their opponents to operate between the lines. The full-backs should be ready to press Bournemouth’s full-backs, while the centre duo, supported by Torreira, could protect the central area and make sure Callum Wilson and David Brooks won’t be able to combine.

Key players: Iwobi, Torreira

They both have the needed confidence on the ball. Torreira’s contribution would be crucial to the whole team’s performance as a lot of the balls would go through him. He is making the connection between the lines and if he manages to do it successfully enough (as he usually does), it will be harder for Bournemouth’s frontline to receive the ball and counter-attack. Torreira averages 9.23 passes to the final third per game with 83% of them being accurate. And 95,2% accuracy when it comes to back passes. His ball control and calmness would play a huge part against the Cherries.

Iwobi could bring more creativity and take advantage of the individual mistakes of the out-of-form Jordon Ibe (Junior Stanislas is doubtful as he picked up an injury) and reach the edge of the box easily.

Final thoughts

The Londoners need to tame the intensity and the energy of Bournemouth’s style of play as the players will surely put a lot of work on the training ground and implement the manager’s instructions carefully on the pitch. It is interesting to see what Emery’s approach to the game is going to be and whether he’s able to stop the Guardiola-like efforts of Eddie Howe.

Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal: Monreal (hamstring), Kolasinac (hamstring ), Mavropanos (groin), Koscielny (achilles), Welbeck (ankle)

Bournemouth: Begovic (thumb – doubtful), King (ankle), Lerma (hamstring), Stanislas (groin)

Probable Lineups:

Arsenal 4-2-3-1 v Bournemouth 4-4-1-1

Form (Last 5):
Arsenal: WWDDD

Bournemouth: WDWLL

 Goals Scored Per Match
Arsenal: 2.80 (away average)

Bournemouth 1.83 (home average)

Goals Conceded Per Match
Arsenal: 1.80 (away average)

Bournemouth: 1.50 (home average)

From the Manager: (Courtesy Arsenal.com)

Yes, after the international break of two weeks, the last match here was a draw against Wolverhampton. We are okay, 16 matches where we haven’t lost, but also, in the last three matches we’ve drawn. This is two situations. Our ambition is to take another victory, but we know it is very difficult in each match. We need to feel, to prepare for a big match on Sunday in Bournemouth.

Now they are behind us by four points and we are playing there on Sunday. I think they are a good team, a young coach but a very good coach with his small experience but very big experience. I know Bournemouth and they are a very prepared team with tactically good movement on the pitch and with a big intensity with each player and when they are playing there, we know it is very difficult. But we need to prepare well, we need every player with a big mentality to fight strongly there against them, with our quality but above all, with a big intensity and a big mentality in the 90 minutes.

Match Officials:
Referee: Craig Pawson (8M 37Y 3R)
Assistants: Ian Hussin, Richard West
Fourth official: David Coote

Broadcast Information:
UK: Sky Sports 13.30 GMT

US: NBC Sports Network 8:30 AM EST

Match Facts (Courtesy BBC.co.uk)

• Bournemouth recorded their first win over Arsenal at the seventh attempt when the sides last met in January.
• Arsenal have never failed to score in a match against the Cherries, amassing 17 goals in total.
• There have been 23 goals in contests between these sides – 3.3 per game on average.
• Arsenal are unbeaten in 16 matches since a 3-2 loss at Chelsea on 18 August; they have recorded 12 wins during this period.
• The Gunners have drawn four of their last five games, including each of their last three – they have not drawn four straight since February 2009.
• Arsenal and Cardiff are the only clubs not to have led at half time in a Premier League match this season, with nine of the Gunners’ 12 games being all square at the break.
• Unai Emery’s side have scored two or more goals in each of their most recent five away league fixtures.
• They have had a league-high seven goals scored by substitutes.
• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored 13 of his 17 Arsenal goals in Sunday fixtures.

YAMA Predicts:

Bournemouth 2 – 3 Arsenal

A portion of this preview appears courtesy our friends over at We Are the Arsenal. The original article can be found here