BOURNEMOUTH VS ARSENAL

BOURNEMOUTH (4-4-2)

BORUC,

SMITH, FRANCIS, COOK, DANIELS,

GOSLING, SURMAN,

RITCHIE, ARTER, PUGH,

AFOBE

GIROUD,

CAMPBELL, OZIL,

WALCOTT,

COQUELIN, RAMSEY,

MONREAL, MERTESACKER, KOSCIELNY, BELLERIN,

CECH

ARSENAL (4-2-3-1)

Arsenal's challenge for the Barclays Premier League is collapsing; the Gunners have gone four games without a win, taking just three points from a possible 12 and dropping from first place to fourth.

And they have failed to score in three Premier League games in a row for the first time since January and February 2009 when they collected four successive goalless draws.

Another game without a goal could be made more painful if Bournemouth's Benik Afobe finds the net. The former Gunner joined the Cherries two weeks ago and has scored in his last three games including one against Crystal Palace in a 2-1 win at Selhurst Park.

This is a rare meeting; these teams have met only twice before, with the first clash coming in the League Cup in October 1987. Arsenal won 3-0 at Highbury in that game then, in December, won 2-0 in the Premier League at the Emirates.

Arsenal are due an away win; they have drawn their last two on the road, at Liverpool and Stoke, and have gone three without a win away from home.

Bournemouth, meanwhile, have won just three home games in their first season in the Premier League.

Bournemouth are still without Max Gradel, Tyrone Mings, Lee Tomlin and Callum Wilson. Arsenal, meanwhile, still miss Santi Cazorla, Tomas Rosicky, Danny Welbeck and Jack Wilshere.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who came under criticism from some Gunners' fans on Tuesday, may consider a first start for Egyptian international Mohamed Elneny while Francis Coquelin could also be available.