Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points and players who can be influential in Matchweek 36.
Team analysis - AFC Bournemouth
Across the last 10 matches only two sides have accrued more points than Bournemouth - title-chasing Manchester City and Arsenal.
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The Cherries are bang in form and full of confidence and are thriving under Andoni Iraola’s high-octane approach.
They are creating chances aplenty in recent weeks and will relish travelling to Emirates Stadium as underdogs in Saturday’s early match.
Congesting space
Bournemouth are not a possession-based outfit. Averaging 44 per cent over the campaign, they will be content to allow Arsenal to have the major share of the ball.
Their strengths lie in regaining possession through pressure football, before springing quick counter-attacks.
The Cherries are excellent at breaking up play and will be led by central midfielders Lewis Cook and Ryan Christie – along with fit again Alex Scott.
They are quick to shut down space in central areas and have regained the ball more often inside the middle third than every team except Liverpool in 2023/24.
Most possession won middle third 23/24
| Team | Poss. won in middle third |
|---|---|
| Liverpool | 930 |
| Bournemouth | 852 |
| Everton | 831 |
| Arsenal | 764 |
Organised pressing
Bournemouth will also press man-to-man inside the final third when it is on to do so.
They forced a huge error from Newcastle United’s Martin Dubravka in a 2-2 draw at St James’ Park, after cornering the Magpies, as indicated below.
Dubravka slipped under pressure from Dominic Solanke, handing the striker an easy tap-in.
Arsenal’s passing under pressure in tight areas will need to be sharp.
Brilliant on the break
Bournemouth can be electric from turnovers and transitions.
They have fast ball carriers, with Justin Kluivert their standout player right now in the absence of the injured Antoine Semenyo and Marcus Tavernier.
Kluivert has scored four times in his last nine appearances, and his speed could pose a major threat for Arsenal.
From their breakaways the south coast side are used to fashioning plenty of efforts on goal.
They lead the way in the Premier League rankings for shots from fast breaks, which serves as a warning to Arsenal, who cannot afford to leave themselves light on numbers at the back.
Most shots from fast breaks 23/24
| Team | Total |
|---|---|
| Bournemouth | 43 |
| Wolves | 34 |
| Liverpool | 32 |
| Aston Villa | 31 |
Going long
Not all of Bournemouth's breakaways come from speedy dribbles upfield.
Many are direct attacks that start with one longer pass from back to front.
They are not afraid to clip hopeful balls into the channels, having averaged 61 long passes per match, the second most in the division.
These two examples from recent matches show how Kluivert’s sprints from deep are often a target for his team-mates when they are on the ball.
From this clip over the Wolverhampton Wanderers' right-back, the Dutchman almost scored at Molineux.
And at the start of this terrific run of form across the last 10 matches, Cook lofted a pass over the top for Kluivert to race onto and score in a 2-0 win at Burnley.
This type of ploy, as indicated below, could be used again, so it is important the Gunners don’t just focus their attention of the runs of star man Solanke.
🪄 @JustinKluivert pic.twitter.com/jbcBYbObIZ
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) March 4, 2024
Suiting Solanke
Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah are the only two players with a higher Expected Goals (xG) tally than Bournemouth’s leading scorer.
Solanke is a striker that habitually receives opportunities to score and has netted 18 times from an xG of 19.15.
He enjoys leading the line in Iraola’s 4-2-3-1 formation having registered 90 shots inside the penalty area, 17 more than Arsenal's most prolific shooter Bukayo Saka, who has produced 73 shots in the box.
Most shots inside box 23/24
| Player | Total |
|---|---|
| Erling Haaland | 97 |
| Ollie Watkins | 92 |
| Dominic Solanke | 90 |
For a side that has so little of the ball it is impressive how the Cherries create as much as they do for him.
Bournemouth also rank fifth for the most open-play shots this season which is a testament to how incisively they counter-attack from turnovers, and how bold they are in regards to pushing players into the box.
Most shots in open play 23/24
| Team | Total |
|---|---|
| Liverpool | 519 |
| Man City | 467 |
| Arsenal | 446 |
| Spurs | 401 |
| Bournemouth | 385 |
According to Opta’s xG metric, Iraola’s men should have scored 60 goals instead of 51 so far, so they will feel a top-half finish is what they deserve.
While Arsenal are understandably favourites to win this match, there is every chance that Bournemouth will provide them with some nervy moments.