Written by billythekid
Having beaten Brighton at Dean Court in the Premier League last Tuesday, the first win in this league at home since beating Manchester United back in November of last year, the Cherries are back at home in FA Cup action again, this time the visitors are Arsenal in the 4th Round. In the 3rd Round, AFCB convincingly beat Championship side Luton Town 4-0.
Arsenal last won the FA Cup in May 2017 when Arsene Wenger was their manager, they beat Chelsea the Premier League Champions that season and it was the record 7th time Wenger had won the Cup with Arsenal and a record 13th time Arsenal had won it. In the 3rd Round, this season the Gunners beat Championship side Leeds United 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal out of the running to win the PL title this season and out of the League Cup, their only chance in English competitions is in the FA Cup. Arsenal are still in the Europa League and top of their group.
AFCB, on the other hand, are in the bottom three of the Premier League and have a very important game on the following Saturday at home against Aston Villa. If Eddie Howe puts out his strongest side to try and progress into the 5th Round of the FA Cup, does he risk his key players to injury? Eddie has said we have/had players playing who are carrying injuries, so it may be best to rest those players and to keep his strongest side for what looks like a more important game to try and stay in the Premier League. It’s a difficult decision for our manager who has fringe players waiting to play and cup games are their best chance of playing. Also, some of our fans would like to see how far we could progress in this competition.
The Cherries have never met Arsenal in the FA Cup before, but met away in the League Cup in the 1987-88 season, Arsenal won 3-0. In all competitions, AFCB have W 1, D 2, L8.
AFCB Team News
Apart from our normal injury list, Dominic Solanke, toe, Simon Francis and Callum Wilson, knee, will be assessed ahead of our game on Monday night. Steve Cook will be available after suspension.
AFCB Player To Watch
We have two promising young 21-year-old forwards in Sam Surridge and Alex Dobre, it would be good to see them given a chance to show their talents to our fans. If Eddie sticks to the tried and trusted and they are fit, will be interesting to see Callum Wilson and Dominick Solanke partnership up front against Arsenal after they both had good games against Brighton.
Arsenal Team News
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and David Luiz are both suspended. Injured are Callum Chambers, knee, Kieran Tierney, shoulder, Sead Kolasinac, thigh and Reiss Nelson, thigh. They should have Sokratis Papastathopoulos back after illness.
Arsenal Player To Watch
Alexandre Lacazette, with their main scorer out through suspension, Lacazette will probably be the player to keep a tight eye on, all-round strong player.
Your say…
Toronto John wrote…
I would like to see us put out a competitive side, but at the same time, we cannot afford another Mepham scenario. So, we should be sitting those players who are at the heart of our line-up for February. Certainly, Ake falls into that category, King (if fit, may not be anyway), probably Smith and Lerma.- Join the conversation, click here.
