Arsenal have confirmed their side to face Bournemouth, with Gabriel and Kai Havertz both starting and Eberechi Eze returning to the matchday squad on the bench.
Arsenal have confirmed their starting line-up for Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Bournemouth, with Mikel Arteta making several notable calls as the focus switches back from Europe to the title race.
David Raya starts in goal behind a back four of Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Myles Lewis-Skelly. Gabriel’s inclusion is one of the main talking points after the concern around his fitness in recent days, while Lewis-Skelly comes into the side at left-back.
In midfield, Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice start again, with Kai Havertz also included from the outset. That gives Arsenal a strong central unit, but it also means there is no place in the squad for Martin Odegaard, whose absence had already drawn attention before kick-off.
Further forward, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli support Viktor Gyokeres, who continues as the central striker. It is another significant start for Gyokeres, while Martinelli’s inclusion offers Arsenal pace and direct running on the left.
Arsenal XI vs Bournemouth: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Rice, Havertz; Madueke, Martinelli, Gyokeres.
Substitutes: Arrizabalaga, Mosquera, Salmon, Hincapie, Norgaard, Eze, Dowman, Trossard, Jesus.
There are a few obvious selection points beyond the starting side. Eberechi Eze is back in the matchday squad and takes his place on the bench, which is a timely boost after his recent absence. Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard are also among the options available to Arteta if he wants to change the game in the second half, while Max Dowman is included again as his involvement with the senior group continues.
The names missing from the squad are also significant. With Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori all absent from today's squad. Given the attention around Arsenal’s fitness picture in recent days, those omissions will be closely noted.
For Arteta, the team selection suggests a balance between continuity and necessity. Raya keeps his place in goal, Gabriel is fit enough to start, and Eze is back involved, but Arsenal still go into the Bournemouth game without a number of important senior players. The immediate question now is whether the side named can deliver another important result at the Emirates.