Arsenal lineup vs. Bournemouth: Predicted XI for Premier League clash as Bukayo Saka decision made

Arsenal duo Jurrien Timber and Bukayo Saka are both serious doubts for Saturday's early Premier League kickoff against Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium.

The pair both missed Tuesday's 1-0 Champions League win over Sporting Lisbon due to the unspecified injuries they sustained on international duty, although Arteta previously expressed hope that they would be fit for the weekend.

However, with the second leg of the UCL quarter-final against Sporting to come - not to mention Manchester City in two weekends' time - it would not be a shock to see both men spared on Saturday.

Mikel Merino (foot) is a guaranteed absentee for the Gunners, who also need to conduct once-overs on Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard, but Eberechi Eze and Piero Hincapie could make quicker-than-expected returns from injury.

Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz may have played their way into the XI over Odegaard and Trossard, though, having come off the bench to combine for the winning goal at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in midweek.

Martinelli ought to link up with Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke in the hosts' attacking trident, while Havertz drops deeper into midfield alongside Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi, who have both battled back from afflictions of their own.

Cristhian Mosquera is on standby if either Gabriel Magalhaes or William Saliba are not risked, but in an ideal world, Arteta would select the same backline that kept Sporting at bay.

Riccardo Calafiori is a doubt after not being seen in training on Thursday, though, so there is every chance that Hincapie will be restored to the XI.

Arsenal possible starting lineup:

Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Havertz, Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli

> Click here to see how Bournemouth could line up for this game