Another Premier League gameweek provides yet another crucial fixture for Arsenal in their intense title battle with Manchester City. The Gunners take on Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday looking to stretch their lead at the top to eight points.
Following a temporary wobble in February that saw Mikel Arteta's men lose their status as league leaders, three consecutive victories over Aston Villa, Leicester and Everton has reignited their hopes of winning a first league title in 19 years. But there's plenty of football still to be played and every game will be considered a cup final from here until the end of May.
The visit of Bournemouth means Arsenal's previous three fixtures have pit them against three of the current bottom seven. So far, they have been faultless with only improvements in performances as the games have passed.
Read more: Latest Arsenal injury news as two players to miss Bournemouth amid Eddie Nketiah concern
Gary O'Neil's side are 19th in the Premier League, one point behind Leeds outside the relegation battle. After initially settling into life back in the top flight rather well, the Cherries have lost six of their nine league games since the World Cup.
Last week, Man City showed their class with a powerful 4-1 drubbing of Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. Arteta would have learnt a lot from the 90 minutes against Pep Guardiola's side, who were simply too good to deal with in the final third.
"I watch the games against Brighton, Wolves, Newcastle and Manchester City and to be fair I’m really impressed with what they are doing. They haven’t conceded much in those games and they could have had very different results in two of those games," he said.
"The Man City game, obviously, the quality when they open up and they finish the actions it makes the score big, but they were really competitive again."
Here, football.london looks at how Arsenal can overcome the Cherries on Saturday.
Simple but effective
On paper, Arsenal look likely to have too much for Bournemouth in north London. But this is the Premier League and every team provides different challenges.
However, the current form of the Gunners' star players will be vital in breaking down the worst defence in the league with a simple strategy. Against Man City, Bournemouth were punished for their lack of quality when attempting to play through the thirds.
For Arsenal, the midfield trio must be alert to force Jefferson Lerma and Philip Billing into mistakes and the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli must capitalise.
Bournemouth initially deployed a back five with three centre-backs. However, the three all lack pace compared to Arsenal's speedy attackers so pace in behind will be vital in earning the three points.
Unlike some challenges this season, Arsenal should do well against Bournemouth by pressing high, forcing the defenders into errors and unlocking the backline with passes in behind - just as the champions did last weekend.
Jorginho puzzle
Arteta will be licking his lips at the midfield predicament he finds himself with. Prior to the January transfer window, numbers of quality were thin within the middle of the park in deputy to Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka.
Jorginho's arrival from London rivals Chelsea had initially been scrutinised but the Italian has already proved his worth in his first month at the club. Now, with Partey recovered from a recent injury, Arteta must decide which one will start on Saturday.
After confirming that Jorginho had recovered from illness - as well as Partey not starting a game since January 11 - the safer decision is set to see the former Chelsea man retain his spot. But as mentioned above, Bournemouth sit deeper than most and aren't likely to see much of the ball.
The Gunners will be forced to spend much of the game recycling possession camped in the Cherries half and will need to be quick in transitions. Partey's anchor-like positioning will allow Xhaka and Martin Odegaard to venture forward to almost create a 2-1-4-3 formation.
Dropping Jorginho isn't in response to his form because he's been magnificent. But certain games call for certain individuals' characteristics and Partey is the better fit.
Use Odegaard
The Arsenal skipper has been crucial to his side's emergence as title contenders this season. Taking up a number of roles in Arteta's versatile system, the Norwegian should play a key role in defeating Bournemouth.
Coming up against a relegation-threatened side provides its problems and on Saturday - especially at home - Arsenal must solve the puzzle of breaking O'Neil's men down in the opening stages.
A rigid back five should prove difficult to beat but they have conceded three or more goals in eight games this season and have shown on multiple occasions their nature to fall apart once the first goal goes in.
The space for Arsenal to plan isn't likely to be crowded and will offer the time for Odegaard to pick out game-changing passes. As mentioned above, Bournemouth's deep line will see the Gunners line-up in a 2-1-4-3 when attacking and the four will be the key to victory.
Odegaard has created 12 big chances this season and completed an average of 26.2 accurate passes in the opposition half (via Sofascore). Just as Ilkay Gundogan was key for City last week, Odegaard will need to continue his fine form from Wednesday.
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