On Sunday, February 7, AFC Bournemouth hosts Arsenal FC in an English Premier League week 25 fixture. The game will be played at the Vitality stadium in the city of Dorset and will kick off at 13:30 BST.
The hosts are currently 15th on the table with 28 points from 24 games, while the visitors are 4th on the league table, with 45 points from 24 games.
A win for the underdogs can see them rise to 13th position on the table, while a defeat can see them drop one place to 16th. A win for the favorites’ can see them rise to 2nd on the table, while a defeat can will leave them no lower than their current position.
AFC Bournemouth staying above waterThe small town club are doing well enough this season, and are currently 7 points above the relegation zone. They have claimed some big scalps at home this season, beating Chelsea and Manchester United, and they will be looking to add Arsenal to their list of famous victories.
The Cherries, managed by Eddie Howe are in good form, with three wins, one draw and one defeat in their last five games in all competitions. These wins include league victories Norwich City (3-0 on January 16), and Crystal Palace (1-2 on February 2). They also knocked Portsmouth out of the FA Cup (1-2 on January 30).
Eddie Howe’s team drew their recent league game against Sunderland (1-1 on January 23), but suffered defeat at the hands of West Ham United (1-3 on January 12).
Arsenal’s title dreams slippingThe Gunners have in recent weeks seen their title ambitions take a huge dent with a return of just 3 points in their last 4 games. With no goals scored in their last 3 league outings, the favorites’ will have to find a way to get the 3 points in this game to keep their title hopes alive.
The FA Cup holders, managed by Arsene Wenger are in poor form, with one win, three draws and one defeat in their last five games in all competitions. This win was against Burnley in the FA Cup (2-1 on January 30).
The title challengers have drawn three of their last four league games against Liverpool (3-3 on January 13), Stoke City (0-0 on January 17), and most recently against Southampton (0-0 on February 2). They lost to bitter rivals Chelsea (0-1 on January 24).
Former Arsenal player Benik Afobe has been in impressive form since his arrival in the Premier League, with three goals in four games. He will be eager to prove a point to Arsene Wenger and his Arsenal team. Arsenal’s most expensive signings in Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, will have the responsibility of getting this title challenge back on track, starting with a victory in this game.
The Gunners are short of form and confidence at the moment, and Bournemouth has pulled off some real impressive scalps this season, so this should be a very interesting game. I however, expect Arsenal to dig into their reservoir and find that extra bit of quality to win this game.
