Arsenal are hosting Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, 18th April 2026. The kick off is at 3 o’clock in the afternoon, BST time which is 4 o’clock in the afternoon in West African Time. With Mikel Arteta’s Gunners still firmly in the mix for the title, they’ll be desperate to keep the pressure on with a strong showing in front of their home crowd.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth – who’ve been pretty comfortable in mid-table under Andoni Iraola – will be looking to put a spanner in the works and pick up a useful away point or two.
Match Preview
Arsenal are still very much in the title conversation and they’ve got one of the best home records in the league to show for it this season. They come into this one off the back of some solid form, with a healthy dose of attacking flair and an almost impenetrable backline.
Bournemouth, however, have quietly impressed – and all thanks to some clever pressing and quick counter attacks which have earned them a spot well and truly in the top half of the table. When they met in December 2025, the match ended all square at 2-2, but on their own patch the Gunners are an altogether different proposition.
They usually dominate possession and at the Emirates, they tend to get what they want when they go looking for it. It’s going to be a fast-paced affair with Arsenal controlling the ball and Bournemouth looking to catch them out on the break. And given both teams have shown a willingness to go at it hammer and tongs all season, I reckon there should be a few goals on the cards.
Head-to-head: yeah, Arsenal have generally come out on top in recent meetings at this place, but Bournemouth have been slowly but surely closing the gap over the last couple of seasons.
Possible Lineups
Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya – Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori – Rice, Zubimendi, Ødegaard – Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Mikel Arteta’s got a pretty much full squad at his disposal after the international break; Bukayo Saka is expected to start out on the right and given his creative influence on the team it’s little wonder he’s the one they look to for inspiration. Kai Havertz up front should cause a bit of a problem for Bournemouth, while Declan Rice will look to anchor the midfield and help keep things tidy.
Bournemouth (4-2-3-1): Travers – Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez – Cook, Christie – Semenyo, Kluivert, Ouattara – Evanilson
Andoni Iraola’s got a generally fit squad at his disposal, and Bournemouth’s been showing some nice signs recently. With Dango Ouattara and Antoine Semenyo providing pace on the wings, they should be a handful for Arsenal – and Evanilson looks like he might be the one who could exploit Arsenal’s high line.
Prediction
Given Arsenal’s quality and home dominance, I reckon they should take all three points – especially with Bukayo Saka and that attacking trio looking in good nick. Bournemouth, however, are well-organised and good on the counter, so I think they’ll probably manage to nick at least a goal – maybe through Dango Ouattara or a set-piece.
But at the end of the day the Gunners’ control at the Emirates and their need for maximum points in the title race should see them over the line in what should be a pretty entertaining match.
Final score prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Bournemouth
