Arsenal romped to a 4-1 victory over Aston Villa on Tuesday to provide a huge injection of confidence going into the new year, and it would be a surprise should the rampant Gunners not manage to claim another three points from their trip to Bournemouth.
The hosts came close to topping the league in October, only being denied by a late Crystal Palace equaliser, but the Cherries have slumped to just outside the relegation zone after a miserable run of form.
Team news
Arsenal do not have anyone suspended for this match, but four players will be on the sidelines due to injury, with England star Declan Rice the most high profile.
Rice has been labouring with a knee injury and seems unlikely to be risked. The midfield maestro, a key component of this Gunners outfit, should return to the side soon, but Mikel Arteta will probably give him more time, with the Bournemouth trip looking straightforward even without his help.
Riccardo Calafiori is in a similar position. He has missed Arsenal’s last two matches with a muscle problem, and the Italian seems unlikely to be risked at the Vitality Stadium.
Cristhian Mosquera and Max Dowman, who have both been suffering with ankle problems, are definitely unavailable for the Gunners.
Antoine Semenyo has been the subject of interest from Man City, so it remains to be seen whether he is still a Bournemouth player come Saturday.
The stats
Arsenal have won six consecutive games in all competitions.
Bournemouth have won only three of their 18 previous meetings with Arsenal, and the Gunners have scored a total of 40 goals in their 18 matches against the Cherries.
Arsenal have kept a clean sheet in 39 per cent of their matches against Bournemouth.
Prediction
Bournemouth have gone 10 Premier League games without a victory, and it is difficult to see the Cherries getting anything out of their fixture with Arsenal on Saturday.
The hosts have scored only one goal in their last three home matches, and they are facing the strongest defence in the Premier League.
Arsenal have conceded only five goals at home and seven away in the league – 12 goals in 19 fixtures – and they can approach a trip to Bournemouth expecting to keep a clean sheet.
Arsenal can win the game, and in-form Belgian Leandro Trossard can get on the scoresheet.
Trossard was awesome against Aston Villa on Tuesday, proving to be a constant menace, and it should be a similar story at the Vitality Stadium.
