Arsenal will look to continue their perfect start to the season when they travel to the Vitality Stadium on Saturday to take on a recently-promoted Bournemouth side.
The Gunners will look to build off their 4-2 home victory against Leicester City, in which Gabriel Jesus scored his first two competitive goals for the club and added a pair of assists.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth will look to brush themselves off after a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of first-place Manchester City last weekend. While a return home may help their chances, a game against the in-form Gunners, who currently sit second, is probably not what manager Scott Parker would have preferred.
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Let’s dig into the latest Bournemouth vs Arsenal odds and our favorite bets for this Matchweek 3 fixture.
John Arlia's 2022-23 EPL Betting Record: 3-3-0, -0.69 units
Bournemouth vs Arsenal Odds
-3-Way Handicap: Arsenal -250 | Bournemouth +650 | Draw +360
-Over/Under Goals: Over 2.5 (-135) / Under (+100)
-2-Way Handicap: Arsenal -1.5 (+110) / Bournemouth +1.5 (-155)
-Both Teams to Score: Yes (+100) / No (-140)
Bournemouth vs Arsenal odds are current as of Monday, Aug. 15 at 11 a.m. EST at BetMGM Sportsbook
Arsenal are understandably comfortable favorites here, even away from home. Bournemouth did take all three points from their season opener at the Vitality against Aston Villa, but the Gunners are a different class of opponent.
Based on the way they’ve been playing, Mikel Arteta’s side should emerge with the victory. It’s just a matter of by how many goals and whether Bournemouth will provide much resistance.
Bournemouth vs Arsenal Betting Tips
Can Bournemouth score on Ramsdale in his return?
Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale returns to face one his former clubs on Saturday, having joined Bournemouth in January 2017. The 24-year-old England international only played one top-flight season for the Cherries (2019-20), which ultimately ended in their relegation back to the EFL Championship.
Ramsdale was a revelation for Arsenal last season after joining the club in the summer, but he was not at his best in last weekend’s victory over Leicester. There wasn’t much Ramsdale could have done about William Saliba’s unfortunate own goal, but he would have been disappointed to see James Maddison’s tight-angle shot slip through his legs late in the second half.
Bournemouth will have to score at least one goal to make this game interesting, but that may be a tall task after creating just 0.13 xG against Man City.
Arsenal’s attack will get chances, can they finish them?
The Gunners ended the weekend as the joint-top scorers in the Premier League with six goals through two games, tied with Man City, Tottenham, and Brentford. They also currently sit alone at the top of the league in Big Chances Missed with four.
Gabriel Martinelli has scored in each of Arsenal’s first two games, but he failed to convert a glorious opportunity against Crystal Palace that would have opened the scoring inside the first 10 minutes.
Likewise, Gabriel Jesus produced a sublime chipped finish for his first goal against Leicester and doubled the lead with a well-timed header at the back post, but he should have completed his hat-trick late in the second half when a rebound fell to his left foot inside the six-yard box.
Arsenal will see the majority of possession in this game and should create plenty of chances, but they will have to be clinical to put this game to bed.
Look for Saka, Xhaka to influence play
If you can take anything from Bournemouth’s performance against Manchester City, it’s that they are going to get bodies behind the ball and try to make life difficult for the opposition.
Arsenal will have to break down an organized back line, but they can learn a lesson from Man City’s impressive interplay. İlkay Gündoğan’s opening goal was a result of some quick one-two passes, something that Arsenal has shown the capability to do.
In particular, Granit Xhaka has played in a much more advanced role so far this season as part of Arsenal’s midfield three, and his willingness to venture forward has already paid dividends with a goal. He remains an integral part of this squad and will play a key role in this match.
When they get bodies back, Bouremouth’s back three can operate as a back five, so the Gunners will also have to take advantage of the times the Cherries get forward and create chances on the counter.
Kevin De Bruyne’s goal last weekend is a perfect template for Arsenal to learn from, as City moved the ball quickly and the Belgian converted a neat outside-the-foot finish from the right wing.
Bukayo Saka will be looking to exploit that space this weekend and is Arsenal’s most deadly forward when it comes to running at and taking on defenders. The 20-year-old had a relatively quiet game against Leicester, but should be a focal point of the attack against Bournemouth.
Bournemouth vs Arsenal Prediction
Bournemouth 0-2 Arsenal
Based on the way they’ve been playing, Arsenal should run away as relatively easy winners here. There is a massive gulf in class between these two clubs and the Gunners should be confident after two strong performances.
Kieffer Moore has been Bournemouth’s main threat in attack, but the stature of Arsenal’s center-back pairing should be able to handle the 6-foot-5 Welshman. Ramsdale will want nothing more than a clean sheet on his return to the south coast, and I think he’ll get it.
Bournemouth vs Arsenal Best Bets
➕ Arsenal (-250) at BetMGM Sportsbook
WAGER: 2.5 Units
I think laying the -1.5 goals with Arsenal at plus-money odds makes a lot of sense, but this is the safer play. The Gunners don’t have the best track record at the Vitality Stadium, having won just one of their last four visits there in the Premier League (1-2-1).
Still, the most recent of those EPL meetings was in December 2019, and both of these squads have changed dramatically since then. Arsenal look to be more stable now than they have been in a while, which should be enough to see them cover the line in a tough environment.
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➕ Both Teams to Score: No (-140) at BetMGM Sportsbook
WAGER: 1.4 Units
Although Bournemouth have a pretty good goalscoring record against Arsenal — the Cherries have scored at least once in six of eight meetings in all competitions since 2017 — I don’t really see how they find the back of the net here.
The Cherries have created very little in their first two games (combined 0.72 xG), and should be forced to defend for long stretches in this one. Arsenal’s defense looks stronger than it has in recent years and should stand up to the physical challenge provided by Kieffer Moore.
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➕ Multiple Correct Score: 0-1, 0-2, or 0-3 (+165) at BetMGM Sportsbook
WAGER: 0.5 Units
Taking a small shot on this plus-money bet makes a lot of sense based on what I believe will transpire on this game.
Instead of betting on the 2-0 scoreline (+575), this gives us a couple of extra outs if Arsenal either struggle to break down Bournemouth’s back line or they tack on an extra goal late on.
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