Preview: Arsenal set their sights on a meeting with BournemouthShareBournemouth play host to an in-form Arsenal on Saturday evening in the Premier League as both teams play their first game of 2026.By Ross KilvingtonBournemouth are winless in ten top flight matches dating back to October 26, while Arsenal have won five of their previous six league games.With Manchester City slipping up against Sunderland, the Gunners have a chance to stretch even further clear at the top of the table.Andoni Iraola is enduring his toughest spell since taking over BournemouthAfter winning three of their opening five Premier League fixtures, the Cherries have won only twice since the start of October.This has seen Iraola’s men plummet down the table as they enter this clash sitting 15th, although nine points clear of relegation.The manager will be pinning his hopes on holding on to Antoine Semenyo for long enough to start him in the game against the league leaders.Semenyo has scored nine Premier League goals so far this season, including efforts against Liverpool and Manchester United.Indeed, he has netted three goals in his previous four matches and Mikel Arteta must be wary of the threat he will pose on Saturday evening.Do Arsenal have one hand on the Premier League title?Arsenal benefitted massively on New Year’s Day as Sunderland held City to a 0-0 draw at the Stadium of Light.This meant the Gunners head into their first match of 2026 four points clear at the top of the table.Many believe the title is Arsenal’s to lose, especially after a stunning victory over Aston Villa earlier this week.Villa had won 11 consecutive matches across all competitions – with Arsenal being one of their victims – but the Gunners scored four second-half goals to wrap up all three points at the Emirates.That win was their fourth in a row in the top flight and means they begin 2026 with a healthy advantage at the top.Arteta’s men are fighting on four fronts, which means his squad will be stretched even further over the next few months.A win over the Cherries will be the ideal way to begin the new year, no doubt about that.Team newsCristhian Mosquera and Riccardo Calafiori remain doubts after missing the Villa clash in midweek.Declan Rice could return to the side, while Gabriel Jesus may have put himself in the frame for a start against the Cherries.Max Dowman is a definite absentee, as he is struggling with an ankle injury.For the home side, Ben Gannon-Doak, Veljko Milosavljević and Tyler Adams will all be unavailable for the clash.Ryan Christie and Lewis Cook might be ready, although they will have to undergo late fitness tests.PredictionGiven the respective form of both teams, Arsenal enter this clash as firm favourites to claim all three points.Bournemouth have shown plenty of fight in recent weeks, however, as evidenced by the 4-4 draw with Manchester United before Christmas and the 2-2 stalemate with Chelsea a few days ago.Arsenal will continue to demonstrate their title credentials and should win this game fairly comfortably: Bournemouth 0-3 Arsenal.(Cover image from IMAGO)You can follow all the games from the Premier League on FotMob in the 2025/26 season – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.Preview: Arsenal set their sights on a meeting with BournemouthBournemouth play host to an in-form Arsenal on Saturday evening in the Premier League as both teams play their first game of 2026.By Ross KilvingtonBournemouth are winless in ten top flight matches dating back to October 26, while Arsenal have won five of their previous six league games.With Manchester City slipping up against Sunderland, the Gunners have a chance to stretch even further clear at the top of the table.Andoni Iraola is enduring his toughest spell since taking over BournemouthAfter winning three of their opening five Premier League fixtures, the Cherries have won only twice since the start of October.This has seen Iraola’s men plummet down the table as they enter this clash sitting 15th, although nine points clear of relegation.The manager will be pinning his hopes on holding on to Antoine Semenyo for long enough to start him in the game against the league leaders.Semenyo has scored nine Premier League goals so far this season, including efforts against Liverpool and Manchester United.Indeed, he has netted three goals in his previous four matches and Mikel Arteta must be wary of the threat he will pose on Saturday evening.Do Arsenal have one hand on the Premier League title?Arsenal benefitted massively on New Year’s Day as Sunderland held City to a 0-0 draw at the Stadium of Light.This meant the Gunners head into their first match of 2026 four points clear at the top of the table.Many believe the title is Arsenal’s to lose, especially after a stunning victory over Aston Villa earlier this week.Villa had won 11 consecutive matches across all competitions – with Arsenal being one of their victims – but the Gunners scored four second-half goals to wrap up all three points at the Emirates.That win was their fourth in a row in the top flight and means they begin 2026 with a healthy advantage at the top.Arteta’s men are fighting on four fronts, which means his squad will be stretched even further over the next few months.A win over the Cherries will be the ideal way to begin the new year, no doubt about that.Team newsCristhian Mosquera and Riccardo Calafiori remain doubts after missing the Villa clash in midweek.Declan Rice could return to the side, while Gabriel Jesus may have put himself in the frame for a start against the Cherries.Max Dowman is a definite absentee, as he is struggling with an ankle injury.For the home side, Ben Gannon-Doak, Veljko Milosavljević and Tyler Adams will all be unavailable for the clash.Ryan Christie and Lewis Cook might be ready, although they will have to undergo late fitness tests.PredictionGiven the respective form of both teams, Arsenal enter this clash as firm favourites to claim all three points.Bournemouth have shown plenty of fight in recent weeks, however, as evidenced by the 4-4 draw with Manchester United before Christmas and the 2-2 stalemate with Chelsea a few days ago.Arsenal will continue to demonstrate their title credentials and should win this game fairly comfortably: Bournemouth 0-3 Arsenal.(Cover image from IMAGO)You can follow all the games from the Premier League on FotMob in the 2025/26 season – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.