Key Gunners players set for injury return as Premier League run-in begins

Arsenal return to Premier League action looking to add to their nine-point lead while Man City breathe down their necks
Arsenal return to Premier League action against Bournemouth knowing they can stretch their lead at the top of the table to 12 points with a victory before Manchester City go to Chelsea tomorrow.

Mikel Arteta ’s side have lost the Carabao Cup final and crashed out of the FA Cup since their last Premier League fixture a month ago, but the title race has finally entered the run-in with the Gunners just seven games away from a first title since 2004.

A trip to Pep Guardiola’s side, who beat Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final, looms large next week and Arteta’s team will be determined to take as healthy an advantage as possible to the Etihad for a potential title decider.

Bournemouth, though, could be an awkward opponent, with Andoni Iraola’s side beating Arsenal at the Emirates last season.

The Cherries also remain in the hunt for what would be a historic European football qualification.

Follow updates from Bournemouth v Arsenal, below
Inside Arsenal’s title doubts – and what will make the difference in Man City race
That is all the more important given Manchester City’s own surge.

After the team completed a serious tactical number on Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final, it was like they enjoyed the release of a new conviction by letting loose against Liverpool in the FA Cup.

Pep Guardiola’s side were certainly enjoying their football there, which is why Arsenal’s win over Sporting was a required response.

Mikel Arteta on Eberechi Eze's return from injury
Eberechi Eze is available for the first time since featuring in the 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League, where he scored a stunning goal but picked up an issue that would rule him out of the Carabao Cup final and England duty.

"My first conversation with him (Eze) after he felt that niggle, is that he wanted to be available the next week,” Arteta said.

"We knew that was impossible but the recovery and the will that he's shown from day one to get back as quickly as possible and how he's pushed the medical staff and himself to be there tomorrow, was great to see.

"I didn't know that he was so determined, so obsessed and so willing to push his body.

It surprised me in a really powerful way just how much he loves the game."
What is the Bournemouth team news?

Bournemouth are sweating on the fitness of star forward Eli Junior Kroupi, who withdrew from duty with France’s Under-21s, but Tyler Adams, Ben Gannon-Doak and Julio Soler are all back in contention.

Justin Kluivert and midfielder Lewis Cook remain out, however.

Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber, Martin Odegaard, Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie all missed training on Thursday but Mikel Arteta said some of them could feature against Bournemouth.

There have been changes since yesterday, yes,” he said on Friday.

Eberechi Eze is available, though, for the first time since missing the Carabao Cup final due to injury.

It’s a big day for Arsenal.

The Premier League is back and the Gunners have the chance to open up a 12-point lead at the top of the table before Manchester City go to Chelsea tomorrow.

Nerves will be in the air as the run-in well and truly begins.

Bournemouth will be out to spoil the party as they eye what would be a historic qualification for European football.

Stay tuned for all the team news and build up.

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