Arsenal make the journey south to Bournemouth on Sunday as they return to Premier League action for the first time in nearly two weeks.
The Gunners have endured a difficult start to 2018, suffering a humiliating FA Cup third-round exit, and they are yet to put a win on the board since the turn of the year.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, have improved their results in recent weeks and, despite losing 3-0 in the reverse fixture back in September, will be hoping to frustrate Arsene Wenger's men.
| Game | Bournemouth vs Arsenal |
| Date | Sunday, January 14 |
| Time | 13:30 GMT / 08:30 ET |
| Stream (US only) | fuboTV (7-day free trial) |
TV CHANNEL & LIVE STREAM
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In the United States (US), the game can be watched live and on-demand with fuboTV (7-day free trial).
New users can sign up for a free seven-day trial of the live sports streaming service, which can be accessed via iOS, Android, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Apple TV as well as on a web browser.
| US TV channel | Online stream |
|---|---|
| NBCSN / Telemundo | fuboTV |
In the United Kingdom (UK) the game will be available to watch live on television on Sky Sports Premier League and will be available to stream live online using Sky Go.
| UK TV channel | Online stream |
|---|---|
| Sky Sports Premier League | Sky Go |
SQUADS & TEAM NEWS
| Position | Bournemouth players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Begovic, Boruc, Allsop, Federici |
| Defenders | Francis, S. Cook, Ake, Daniels, A. Smith, B. Smith, Simpson |
| Midfielders | Gosling, Surman, Pugh, Arter, L. Cook, Hyndman, Mahoney, Fraser, Ibe, Butcher, Dobre |
| Forwards | Afobe, Wilson, Mousset, Grabban |
Bournemouth will be without the services of strike-duo Jermain Defoe and Josh King, meaning Callum Wilson is likely to lead the attack.
Tyrone Mings and Junior Stanislas are also among those injured and are not expected to feature.
Potential Bournemouth starting XI: Begovic; Daniels, Ake, S. Cook, Francis, A. Smith; Arter, L. Cook, Fraser; Afobe, Wilson.
| Position | Arsenal players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Cech, Ospina, Macey |
| Defenders | Mertesacker, Holding, Mustafi, Koscielny, Chambers, Monreal, Debuchy, Bellerin, Kolasinac, Maitland-Niles |
| Midfielders | Nelson, Wilshere, Willock, Xhaka, Elneny, Ozil, Ramsey, Elneny |
| Forwards | Iwobi, Sanchez, Welbeck, Lacazette, Giroud, Nketiah, Akpom, Walcott |
Arsenal are contending with a serious injury crisis at the moment and Jack Wilshere joins a number of players on the sidelines after sustaining an ankle injury against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final.
As well as Wilshere, the Gunners will be without Laurent Koscielny, Sead Kolasinac, Nacho Monreal and Olivier Giroud, while doubts persist over Mesut Ozil's fitnesss. However, there is a sliver of good news as Aaron Ramsey returns to the squad after a lengthy lay-off.
It remains to be seen if Alexis Sanchez will play amid links with both Manchester City and Manchester United.
Potential Arsenal starting XI: Cech; Mertesacker, Mustafi, Holding; Bellerin, Xhaka, Ramsey, Iwobi; Welbeck, Sanchez, Lacazette.
BETTING & MATCH ODDS
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Arsenal are 3/4 favourites to win according to dabblebet, with hosts Bournemouth priced at 7/2. A draw is available at 3/1.
GAME PREVIEW
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We are well into the new year, but it seems to be the same old story at Arsenal as their embattled commander desperately attempts to steady the ship at the Emirates.
A series of disappointing results have been unhelpfully compounded by the growing injury list in north London and, as such, Wenger has found his team to be spiralling erratically into 2018.
With Alexis Sanchez's future also back on the agenda, the veteran French manager has been confronted with a perfect storm and it remains to be seen if he can guide them safely through.
The Gunners easily defeated Bournemouth in September and they will hope to summon the same sense of ruthlessness when the sides meet at the Vitality Stadium.
However, given their recent form and the resilience shown by the Cherries during the festive period, it will, by no means, be an easy course to victory.
