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Arsenal team news: Predicted 4-3-3 line up vs Bournemouth – Arteta faces injury crisis
New Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is faced with an injury crisis ahead of his first match in charge of the Gunners when they face Bournemouth this afternoon (3pm).
Arsenal: Mikel Arteta demonstrates passing drill with players
Mikel Arteta must deal with an injury crisis as he takes charge of Arsenal for the first time since replacing Freddie Ljungberg in the Emirates hotseat. The Spaniard could be without as many as seven first-team players for the trip to the Vitality Stadium to face Bournemouth.
Arteta watched from the stands as Arsenal drew 0-0 with Everton at Goodison Park last time out, having been announced as the permanent successor to Unai Emery on Friday.
And the former Gunners midfielder will be in the dugout for the first time as manager on Boxing Day, taking over from interim manager Ljungberg for the trip to Bournemouth.
Up to seven first-team players could be missing for the clash with the Cherries, including the suspended Calum Chambers.
Chambers picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Everton, meaning Arsenal are once more unable to select a settled back four.
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With Rob Holding facing a late fitness assessment on his knee, Sokratis Papastathopoulos is expected to come in for the 24-year-old alongside David Luiz – having returned from a suspension of his own.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles is likely to continue at right-back, although Hector Bellerin is in contention to return after injury.
On the opposite side of defence, Kieran Tierney remains unavailable after dislocating his shoulder and Sead Kolasinac is also sidelined with ankle ligament damage.
Therefore Bukayo Saka could line up at left-back once more although Granit Xhaka may be asked to deputise in the unfamiliar role.
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It is more likely that the Swiss international forms part of a midfield three alongside Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira if Arteta opts for the 4-3-3 favoured during his time with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
That means there is no place for Mesut Ozil in the starting XI, despite the German playmaker being passed fit for selection.
Dani Ceballos is still out with a hamstring problem while Gabriel Martinelli has a similar issue and is being assessed nearer to kick-off.
Therefore, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could shift to the left flank with Nicolas Pepe on the opposite wing and Alexandre Lacazette returning to lead the line.
Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson would be the unfortunate players to drop out of the starting XI, although they will hope to feature at some point against the Cherries.
Eddie Howe’s men have problems of their own with as many as 10 players injured or unavailable.
Diego Rico is suspended and Jordon Ibe is a fitness doubt while Charlie Daniels, Lloyd Kelly, Nathan Ake, Steve Cook and Adam Smith are all injured.
Harry Wilson, David Brooks and Arnaut Groeneveld are also sidelined but Callum Wilson returned to the bench last time out and should start here.
Arsenal are currently 11th in the Premier League, but Arteta has hinted that the Gunners could strengthen in January as they look to climb the table.
“We had many other conversations [with the board], there is so much going on in the last 48 hours,” Arteta told reporters when asked about potential transfers.
“We have a meeting in place very soon, we have some ideas, but we have to pull them together.”
Arteta will also be keen to keep hold of Aubameyang this January after the Gabon striker was linked with a move to Real Madrid, although deploying his star man out on the left wing will not help the Arsenal manager’s cause in this respect.
Arsenal predicted line-up vs Bournemouth – Premier League
(4-3-3): Leno; Maitland-Niles, Sokratis, Luiz, Saka; Xhaka, Torreira, Guendouzi; Pepe, Aubameyang, Lacazette