Could Bournemouth Be Arsenal's Achilles Heel... Again?!

Back to back defeats for Arsenal in both domestic cups may be enough evidence to show that the table toppers are starting to feel the pressure.

What once looked like a stable and assured push toward the summit has recently been undermined by plenty of defensive lapses and an alarming lack of quality. The confidence that has defined their campaign up to now is starting to show signs of fragility, and failure to find their groove again in Lisbon on Tuesday could have the Cherries licking their lips ahead of the weekend.

As well as a recent dip,  Arsenal's have plenty of key men facing fitness concerns ahead of their Champions League tie with Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday. Those fears and certain vulnerability could open the door for a side in Bournemouth, who thrive on disrupting rhythm and exploiting uncertainty.

Bournemouth under Andoni Iraola, display high energy, aggressive pressing, and vertical attacking play - which has turned them into a dangerous opponent for any top side, particularly one struggling to assert control.

Failure to grab a positive result and performance in Portugal could have Mikel Arteta panicking about his reunion with fellow basque boss Andoni Iraola this weekend.

Crucially, Bournemouth have already shown they can hurt Arteta's Arsenal, having secured their first Premier League double over the Gunners last season. The last time Bournemouth visited the Emirates, they smothered Arsenal and managed to fight back from a goal down to claim all three points, something Mikel and Arsenal will remember all too well.

Players like Evanilson and Marcus Tavernier have the energy and intelligence to exploit gaps, while Bournemouth’s tenacious midfield in Alex Scott and Ryan Christie allows them to compete physically. They are no longer a side that simply hopes to survive and compete on the road at one of the leagues top sides, they will arrive with a clear plan and total belief that they can execute it.

For Arsenal, this could mean more than just another fixture, is a crucial test of their title credentials. Dropping points here wouldn’t just dent their position in the table it would send a clear message to Man City that the door is open if they can capitalise.

For Bournemouth, meanwhile, it’s yet another opportunity to show the rest of the league what an impressive side they are, and that Andoni's men are certainly not 'on the beach' just yet. A result at the Emirates wouldn’t just be an impressive one for the Cherries, but it could also be monumental in shaping the destiny of the Premier League title race.