Following Bournemouth's shock win at the Emirates last season, the Cherries may well come into this fixture full of belief. Arsenal may well be feeling the pressure of the title run in, so could the visitors claim another surprise victory?
It was the final month of the 24/25 season, Arsenal entertained Bournemouth in the hope of dispatching of their visitors prior to a huge Champions League encounter with PSG around the corner. Almost a year on and once again the Gunners welcome the south coast outfit to the Emirates, just before a big game in Europe in a few days time. Mikel Arteta's men will certainly be hoping things are different this time around!
Arsenal 1-2 Bournemouth
Arsenal may well have had a Champions League Semi-Final in a matter of days, but Arteta was clearly seeing the Premier League fixture at home to the Cherries as his initial priority. The Gunners went somewhat surprisingly close to full strength for the game but ultimately suffered the same fate as they did in the reverse fixture on the south coast.
The first half started as many expected, Declan Rice was running the midfield for the home side, and his goal meant Arsenal lead at the break. The second period was one for Arsenal to forget however, with Bournemouth notching two goals from their only two attempts to snatch victory. The equaliser headed in from Dean Huijsen came via an Antoine Semenyo long throw, and the winner was in the form of another set piece, this time guided in by Brazilian frontman Evanilson.
So did Arsenal still have an eye on that European Semi Final in a few days time? Or did they simply underestimate an impressive Bournemouth side? Either way, a season on and deja vu will be smashing Gunners fans in the face as they prepare to host Bournemouth, a matter of days before a crucial Champions League fixture.
Is Another Surprise In Store?
So there is definitely a familiar feel to the Cherries trip to the Emirates this weekend. The fact Arsenal once again are somewhat juggling their domestic duties and title race with the pressure that comes with a Champions League second leg a few days later, should have Bournemouth fans and players licking their lips.
Will Arsenal have learnt their lesson or can Bournemouth rock up and cause another surprise and dent in Arsenal's title hopes?
According to the odds-checkers, the chances of Bournemouth beating Arsenal are low, around 12-15% according to current betting odds and predictive models.
With Arsenal sitting top of the 2025/26 Premier League table with 70 points from 31 games (21 wins, 7 draws, 3 losses, +39 goal difference), the Gunners have an excellent home record of 12-2-1 and enter the match on a four-game winning streak, whereas Bournemouth have drawn their last five league games and hold a modest 3-7-5 away record this season.
Historically Arsenal dominate the head-to-head, although Bournemouth have shown occasional resilience recently; but the most likely outcome remains an Arsenal victory, with Bournemouth's best hope relying on their set-piece threat or defensive solidity in what is expected to be a low-scoring affair.