Arsenal confirmed team news vs Bournemouth as Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and William Saliba start
Bukayo Saka and William Saliba are both fit to start for Arsenal's Premier League clash with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. The pair were both doubts after picking up knocks that saw them Wednesday's Carabao Cup third-round victory over Brentford. Mikel Arteta had confirmed in his Friday press conference that the pair had not trained all week, but both are in the starting XI for the trip to the south coast.
Leandro Trossard is only fit for the bench after missing last week's 2-2 draw with Tottenham in the North London Derby due to a hamstring injury. That means Eddie Nketiah up front continues up front, in a move that sees Gabriel Jesus stay out on the left. Gabriel Martinelli is not fit enough to make the bench after a hamstring injury of his own, but Reiss Nelson is among the subs despite scoring the winning goal in midweek.
Declan Rice meanwhile is fit enough to start. The England international was forced to come off at half time in the North London Derby due to a back injury and missed the trip to Brentford despite the revelation earlier in the week that it was only minor. He is however, deemed fit enough to come in and start meaning Jorginho is on the bench.
Fabio Vieira joins the Italian among the subs after also missing midweek. Arteta had described Vieira as a doubt for this game in his pre-match press but the Portuguese midfielder is available to be on the bench with Kai Havertz starting the game.
Meanwhile, David Raya returns in goal ahead of Aaron Ramsdale. The England 'keeper impressed against Brentford, but is dropped to the bench once more, with Raya seemingly now the established number one.
Arsenal confirmed starting XI vs Bournemouth — Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Jorginho, Havertz, Odegaard;
Read on football.london
