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Arsenal will want to avoid any chances of losing ground on Manchester City in the title race when they take on Bournemouth.
Mikel Arteta’s side go into the weekend one point ahead of his former club, although the defending champions have a game in hand.
It has been two decades since Arsenal last won a Premier League title, and they have won all six of their home league matches against Bournemouth.
Arsenal came through arguably their toughest test of their title run-in, against Tottenham last weekend, but they cannot afford any slip ups against a side who have recorded back-to-back victories against Brighton and Wolves.
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Arsenal’s chaotic win at Tottenham raises one question about title run-in
After last week’s dramatic 3-2 win against Tottenham, Mikel Arteta was asked about his extreme faith in his players, as Tottenham threw cross after cross into the box in pursuit of an unlikely draw. “Definitely… in the last few minutes I was doubting a bit!”
Arteta wouldn’t have been human if that wasn’t the case. Everyone knew that Arsenal’s title challenge came down to those last few minutes. They got through it, as Arteta made sure to point out that his squad “give me no reason” to doubt.
Many might of course point to how last season ended, and the manager himself pointed to the difference in perception from how these games have gone to everything that happened in last season’s run-in.
“When you win, it’s always the case. Last season, we didn’t, because we went to West Ham and we missed a penalty… at the end, the judgement is going to be based on that outcome. If Spurs got the goal in the last minute to make it 3-3, then we wouldn’t have been ready. The margins are so small.”
It does raise one question about this run-in, that is now so clear in view. Was it actually better to come through this match in the way they did against Spurs, having squandered a 3-0 lead, rather than just easily win it? Arteta obviously wouldn’t have wanted the team or David Raya to endure the error that led to Christian Romero’s goal – “it puts a wrong message in your brain”, as he put it – but having to dig deep like that does bring out something more in a team.
Arsenal’s chaotic win at Tottenham raises one question about title run-in
For as much as thrashing Spurs in the north London derby would have sent a message in the title race, holding onto a 3-2 win away from home bring out something more in Mikel Arteta’s side
Arsenal eye Alexander Isak with Newcastle star topping Mikel Arteta’s list of targets
The Premier League leaders will nevertheless test Newcastle’s position.
The Saudi-owned club’s hierarchy nevertheless want to illustrate that they won’t be pushed around, and a distinctive aim is to show they can be on a par with clubs like Arsenal over the next few seasons.
They will likely attempt to ward off interest in Isak by exploring a new contract, but the response to that may well indicate how committed he is to the project.
Arsenal eye Alexander Isak with Newcastle star topping Mikel Arteta’s list of targets
Newcastle’s Saudi Arabian ownership is intent on keeping such players as a show of intent. Isak has scored 23 goals in 36 games this season, amid a series of sparkling performances.
It is for the same reasons that Arteta has the Swedish international at the top of his list.
Arsenal looked at a striker in the January window but their own PSR restrictions prevented a move, with the position further influenced by the lack of value on the market.
Arteta now sees plenty of value in Isak, although the club have a set price and do not want to get into a long-winded saga where they go back and forth.
There is a short list of names that Arsenal see as strong targets beyond that, and they will be prepared to move on should a deal prove difficult to complete quickly.
Arsenal eye Alexander Isak with Newcastle star topping Mikel Arteta’s list of targets
Alexander Isak is at the top of Arsenal‘s list of striking targets for the summer, as Mikel Arteta is now intent on buying the forward that will complete his team.
Newcastle United are strongly resistant to selling the Swedish star, and will even seek to offer him a new deal.
Much may depend on whether Isak agitates to go though, having proven a big success since signing from Real Sociedad for £63m in 2022.
Although the pressure from PSR regulations has created an expectation that Newcastle would have to sell to buy, with the 24-year-old their finest talent.
Early Arsenal team news
“Everybody is fit and available so now it’s the headache to make the right selection,” Arteta said.
Asked if Timber’s return could be a timely boost to the squad as the title fight heads into the final three weeks, Arteta added: “Yes, because it increases the quality of the training sessions.
“You see how commanding he is, his leadership, his quality and the rest they have to lift it up and they start to demand more from each other and they look at each other and say ‘I better be good because I want to keep playing,’ and this is very positive for the squad.
“It’s tricky because there are only three games to go and he has missed eight months of football.
“He’s played only 150 minutes of football with the under-21s, it’s a question that can only be resolved by throwing him on the pitch and we will see what happens, we have to try to nail that decision.”
Mikel Arteta drops hint over Jurrien Timber’s fitness ahead of Arsenal’s title run-in
Mikel Arteta believes Jurrien Timber could still have a part to play in Arsenal’s Premier League title run-in – despite not playing since August.
The defender is back in contention for Saturday’s visit of Bournemouth having worked his way back to fitness following a serious knee injury suffered on his league debut against Nottingham Forest.
Having returned to training and improved his fitness levels by turning out for the Under-21s, Arteta revealed the 22-year-old will be part of his squad against the Cherries.
Is Arsenal v Bournemouth on TV?
Arsenal will hope to put the pressure on fellow title chasers Manchester City as they take on AFC Bournemouth.
Mikel Arteta’s side enter the weekend top of the table, a single point ahead of his former club, who have a game in hand, and five in front of a fading Liverpool.
With their closest rivals not playing until later on Saturday, Arsenal will hope to secure another win and take a step towards a first title in two decades.
Is Arsenal v Bournemouth on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch
Everything you need to know ahead of the Premier League clash
Arsenal vs Bournemouth
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