(DDM) – Arsenal will head to the Vitality Stadium on Saturday for their first Premier League match of the new year, facing Bournemouth amid mounting injury worries and a tight January schedule.
The Gunners arrive on the south coast with key absentees already confirmed, according to reports monitored by national media.
Manager Mikel Arteta disclosed that defenders Ricardo Calafiori and Cristhian Mosquera will not be available for selection.
Arteta also revealed that midfielder Declan Rice remains a major doubt after suffering swelling in his knee.
The injury concerns come as Arsenal attempt to maintain momentum at the top of the Premier League table.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, have strengthened their squad ahead of the encounter with the addition of experienced goalkeeper Fraser Forster.
The 37-year-old joined the Cherries as a free agent following his departure from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer.
Forster’s registration has reportedly been completed in time for the Arsenal fixture after receiving the necessary FA approval.
The veteran shot-stopper could feature if first-choice goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic encounters problems.
Petrovic has endured a difficult campaign, conceding 29 goals in just 17 appearances across competitions.
He has shipped four goals in matches against Liverpool, Aston Villa, Manchester United and Brentford.
His struggles were further highlighted by an own goal conceded during Bournemouth’s clash with Brentford.
Under head coach Andoni Iraola, Bournemouth have also found it hard to keep things tight at the back.
The south coast club have not recorded a clean sheet since a goalless draw with Chelsea in early December.
They currently sit 15th on the Premier League table with a minus-six goal difference.
Forster’s arrival is seen as a stabilising option, given his experience with Newcastle United, Southampton and Celtic.
Arsenal, despite their injury setbacks, remain in a strong position in the title race.
The North London side sit top of the table, four points clear of Manchester City.
They have scored 37 league goals so far this season, underlining their attacking consistency.
Leandro Trossard and Viktor Gyokeres have been the team’s most prolific players, with five goals each.
Arteta has, however, warned against underestimating Bournemouth ahead of the weekend fixture.
The Arsenal manager praised Iraola’s work and highlighted how difficult his teams have been for top sides.
He noted that Bournemouth regularly make games uncomfortable for elite opponents and often achieve strong results against them.
Beyond Saturday’s match, Arsenal face an intense run of fixtures in January.
They are set to play Liverpool in the Premier League next Thursday.
That will be followed by an FA Cup tie away to Portsmouth three days later.
A League Cup showdown with Chelsea and a league match against Nottingham Forest will also test Arteta’s squad depth.
Saturday’s encounter, therefore, represents both an opportunity and a potential stumbling block in Arsenal’s title pursuit.
