Arsenal host Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium off the back of their 4-0 win over Standard Liege in the Europa League in midweek.

The young Gunners put on an impressive display, and one or two may get their chance to shine against a Bournemouth side that have started well but have the joint-fifth worst defence in the league.

Match preview

Arsenal's comfortable win over Belgian outfit Standard Liege provided a morale boost following the dismal 1-1 draw against Manchester United in their last Premier League outing.

A trend appears to be emerging, with the Gunners' 'cup team' continuing to record more impressive performances, having won their three games across the EFL Cup and Europa League so far by an aggregate score of 12-0.

Among the young Gunners to have caught the eye is summer signing Gabriel Martinelli, who has now hit four goals from just two starts and is making quite an impression at the Emirates Stadium. He joins a growing list of young Arsenal talent that are beginning to stake their claim for regular, Premier League minutes ahead of some of the more experienced names.

The win also took Arsenal to seven games across all competitions without a loss, and the Gunners have only lost once in their 10 competitive outings this term - a 3-1 defeat to Champions League holders Liverpool.

Bournemouth, then, face a tough test as they visit the Emirates, but Eddie Howe's side have made an encouraging start to the campaign thus far.

The Cherries sit eighth in the table and are a mere point behind the fourth-placed Gunners after recording just two losses in the league so far - one of which was against reigning champions Manchester City.

A concern for Bournemouth, however, is the fact that they are still yet to keep a clean sheet in the league, shipping 12 goals so far - only Watford, Norwich City, Newcastle United and Chelsea have conceded more.

Last time out they drew 2-2 with West Ham United, a prime example of how their attacking prowess can be hindered by their defensive weakness, conceding their second in the final quarter of the game at 2-1 up.

Arsenal form: WLDDWD

Bournemouth form: WLLWWD

Team News

Unai Emery has just one player ruled out in Alexandre Lacazette, with the majority of his long-term absentees making their way back to fitness.

However, given the length of time spent on the sidelines by Hector Bellerin, Rob Holding and Kieran Tierney, it seems unlikely that the Gunners boss would risk playing them twice in one week so soon after their returns, so they are unlikely to start the game.

The impressive performances of Martinelli and Joe Willock do give the Spaniard a headache, however, and he may hand the latter a start ahead of Dani Ceballos and Mesut Ozil, but Bukayo Saka's spot should be safe for the time being.

Howe is not so lucky and has a number of fitness issues to contend with. David Brooks, Charlie Daniels, Chris Mepham and Junior Stanislas are all ruled out, with Adam Smith and Dan Gosling major doubts as well.

The silver lining for the Cherries boss is that Ryan Fraser should have recovered from his illness in time to play a part against the side that he was heavily linked with a move to in the summer.

Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Leno; Chambers, Sokratis, Luiz, Kolasinac; Guendouzi, Xhaka; Pepe, Willock, Saka; Aubameyang

Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Ramsdale; Stacey, Cook, Ake, Rico; H. Wilson, Billing, Lerma, Fraser; King, C. Wilson

We say: Arsenal 3-1 Bournemouth

Against a leaky Arsenal back-line, you'd certainly fancy Bournemouth to get themselves a goal. However, the Cherries are even poorer at the back themselves and, given the Gunners' strong record at home, coupled with the magnificent form of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, it should be Arsenal who come out on top.