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Confirmed line-ups: Bournemouth vs Arsenal – Rice starts, Martinelli misses out
Arsenal are on the south coast to take on Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium this afternoon.
Mikel Arteta has been dealing with a number of injury issues heading into the game with as many as four key players all needing late fitness checks at training on Friday.
Aaron Ramsdale returned in goal for Arsenal’s Carabao Cup win over Brentford in midweek but the England international drops back to the bench with David Raya recalled to start between the sticks today.
William Saliba missed the game on Wednesday night but he’s fit to start alongside Gabriel Magalhaes in the middle of defence today. Ben White keeps his place at right-back while Oleksandr Zinchenko returns at left-back. Takehiro Tomiyasu is unlucky to drops out after his MOTM display against Brentford.
Declan Rice was a doubt for today’s game after picking up a back injury against Tottenham last week. However, the midfielder is fit to start this afternoon. He’s joined by captain Martin Odegaard in midfield while Kai Havertz keeps his place.
Bukayo Saka picked up a knock against Spurs and missed the Brentford game in midweek, but thankfully he’s fit to return today. Gabriel Martinelli continues to recover from a hamstring injury so Eddie Nketiah keeps his place in attack.
Gabriel Jesus returns to start today while Leandro Trossard is back on the bench after recovering from a minor knock.
These are the teams for the game:
Arsenal
Raya, White, Saliba, Magalhães, Zinchenko, Rice, Havertz, Odegaard (C), Saka, Jesus, Nketiah.
Subs: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, Kiwior, Elneny, Jorginho, Vieira, Smith Rowe, Nelson, Trossard.
Bournemouth
Neto; Aarons, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez; Cook, Billing; Tavernier, Christie, Kluivert; Solanke
Subs: Radu, Brooks, Rothwell, Ouattara, Smith, Sinisterra, Moore, Traore, Semenyo.