Beating Arsenal would transform AFCB's season

It may seem strange in a week that has been a tough one for Arsenal in going out of the FA Cup, and having to play in the Carabao Cup semi-final, that Bournemouth have to believe that they themselves are capable of beating the Gunners. Some Arsenal fans may considered this league game as more important than the cup matches with their Premier League top four prospects dependent on a win, but whatever team Arsene Wenger picks for this game, they will have players that have to deal with the mental negativity that they are lagging behind in the league and are already out of one of the cups.

The Cherries have to find something special to climb away fro the wrong end of the table.

Arsenal have been hurt a bit this week in losing to Nottingham Forest, but it wasn't their first team and even Sanchez only played a third of the Carabao Cup match, while Mertesacker sat on the bench along with Walcott. So most of their players have time to recover for Sunday's game. They may assume that it is only AFCB, but this is an opportunity for Eddie Howe's men to capitalise on any problems Arsenal do have and to get three points would not only be a shot in the arm, it would make the trip to West Ham all the more exciting for the players and fans in the next week.

AFCB need to see this as a springboard game. A match that can transform their season. If they play with good pressing and aim to get to the ball first as often as they can, they are capable of getting in the faces of Wenger's team and with the week they have had they may find it harder than usual to pick up the fight. As usual a good start will be required and it's the Achilles heel for Bournemouth at the moment that they need to that get right to stay in contention with teams as giving Arsenal something like a 0-2 lead for Arsenal by half time would be much harder to recover from than a Brighton or Wigan match.

Pinpointing a weakness in Arsenal's side may seem difficult but it is in their defence and for Bournemouth to get at Arsenal's defence they have to go fully on the attack. There will be risks involved if Bournemouth can't keep their passing tight in the middle of the park, and this could be where the game is won or lost. Both teams are strong on the break but being able to cut out mistakes that give possession away will be vital. Do the simple things right though and Bournemouth's season might look a whole lot brighter. UTCIAD!

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In other news, Jack Simpson signs a new 2.5 year deal keeping him at AFCB until 2020.

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