Arsenal v Bournemouth team news and stats

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: Pushing for Arsenal recall

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: Pushing for Arsenal recall

Bournemouth will become Arsenal’s 80th different opponent in league football as the Gunners eye a strong end to the calendar year.

Team news

Arsene Wenger could make changes as Arsenal look to get back to winning ways against Bournemouth.

The Gunners suffered a 4-0 defeat at Southampton on Boxing Day but boss Wenger was impressed by substitutes Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Calum Chambers and Alex Iwobi.

Alexis Sanchez (hamstring), Jack Wilshere (leg) and Mikel Arteta (calf) remain sidelined, as do Francis Coquelin, Danny Welbeck, Santi Cazorla and Tomas Rosicky (all knee).

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe will make a late decision on whether to include Harry Arter, who was brought off at half-time on Boxing Day in order to nurse him back from injury.

Lee Tomlin could return from a groin injury but Josh King remains sidelined.

Opta stats

  • The Gunners are unbeaten in their last 21 Premier League meetings with newly-promoted opposition (W17 D4).
  • This will be only the second-ever competitive meeting between Arsenal and Bournemouth.
  • The only previous meeting between these two sides was a League Cup third round tie in 1987/88 that saw Arsenal prevail 3-0 thanks to goals from Alan Smith, Kevin Richardson and Michael Thomas.
  • Arsenal have not lost their final Premier League game in a calendar year since 2006; when they lost 0-1 away at Sheffield United.
  • Arsenal have scored in each of their last 29 Premier League games against newly-promoted opposition.
  • Arsenal’s last Premier League defeat against a newly-promoted side was in March 2012 in a 1-2 away loss to Queens Park Rangers.
  • The Cherries have won on five of their last six league trips to London (L1), including a win at reigning Premier League champions Chelsea earlier this month.
  • Arsenal have won 16 points from a possible 18 in their last six Premier League home games (W5 D1 L0).
  • Bournemouth are now unbeaten in six Premier League matches (W3 D3).