Olivier Giroud’s wonder goal and Alex Iwobi’s composed finish was enough for the Gunners to post their second consecutive victory after a disastrous start to the month of December in the Premier League this season. Wenger is now expected to maintain this intensity throughout the season and after the victory over Palace, Arsenal will travel to the Dean Court in what will be the first game of the second half of the Premier League this season. With the title race heating up, Arsenal cannot afford to slip up and Wenger will go with his strongest side for this game.
Here is the predicted lineup which he might field for this game.
Team News:
Arsene Wenger is still without the services of Santi Cazorla, Per Mertesacker, Mathieu Debuchy and Chuba Akpom for this game. Striker Danny Welbeck is back in full training and might be considered for this game while Mohamed Elneny is already off to the AFCON. Kieran Gibbs, Mesut Ozil, Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Shkodran Mustafi are all halfway through their recovery for this game.
Formation (4-2-3-1):
Petr Cech:
The first choice shot-stopper for Arsenal, Cech has been in sublime form this season for the Gunners and is an automatic starter in the Premier League.
Hector Bellerin:
One of the most exciting players at the club at the moment, Bellerin is an important part of the squad and will start this game against Bournemouth.
Laurent Koscielny:
The French international has been solid at the back for the Gunners this season and Bournemouth will have to beat him if they are to take anything from this game.
Shkodran Mustafi:
An unused substitute in the victory over Palace, Mustafi, is finally back fit and should be pushed into the starting XI on the night for Arsenal.
Nacho Monreal:
With Gibbs still a doubt for this game, Monreal, who was decent in the previous outing, should start at left-back for Arsenal.
Francis Coquelin:
The first choice midfielder for Wenger, Coquelin has been decent in front of the defense and will play a similar role against Bournemouth.
Aaron Ramsey:
Having got close to 20 minutes in the previous game, Ramsey should be back in the starting XI for this game.
Alex Iwobi:
Having found the back of the net in the victory over Palace, Iwobi should be starting this game again for Arsenal.
Mesut Ozil:
Missed the last game through an illness and should be fresh and raring to go against Bournemouth in the first game of the New Year.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain:
Having got a few minutes under his belt as a substitute in the previous game, Chamberlain has done well enough this season to warrant a place in the side for this game against the Cherries.
Alexis Sanchez:
Was superb as a winger in the previous game but with injuries easing up, Sanchez should be back to his original position for this trip to the Vitality stadium.