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Bournemouth vs Arsenal: Preview, Team News, Prediction & Lineups | January 3, 2026
The Premier League kicks off 2026 with a fascinating clash at the Vitality Stadium, where AFC Bournemouth host table-topping Arsenal.
Bournemouth vs Arsenal: Preview, Team News, Prediction & Lineups | January 3, 2026
On Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 17:30 GMT, top-of-the-table Arsenal face off against 15th-placed Bournemouth in the Premier League at the Vitality Stadium.
The match kicks off at 17:30 GMT on Saturday, January 3, 2026.
In the UK
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with coverage available on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event channels. Kick-off is at 17:30 GMT.
In the US
The game will be shown live on NBC Sports platforms, primarily streaming on Peacock. Depending on scheduling, it may also receive television coverage on USA Network or NBC.
Kick-off times for US viewers: 12:30 PM ET / 9:30 AM PT (3:30 PM GMT).
The Premier League begins in 2026 with an exciting match between table-topping Arsenal and AFC Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. While Andoni Iraola's Cherries are in a crisis of points to stop a concerning decline, Mikel Arteta's Gunners are riding high and hoping to increase their lead. Kickoff is live on Sky Sports at 17:30 GMT.
In-depth match preview with latest team news, injuries, predicted lineups, head-to-head stats, key players to watch, and score prediction for this crucial title-race clash.
DATE: Saturday, Jan 3, 2026
TIME: 5:30 PM GMT (United Kingdom) | 12:30 PM ET (United States) |9:30 AM PT (United States) | 11:00 PM IST | 6:30 PM WAT (Nigeria) | 8:30 PM EAT (Kenya) | 7:30 PM SAST (South Africa)
VENUE: Vitality Stadium
Live Match
Bournemouth Team News
- Tyler Adams (midfielder) – Torn MCL; sidelined until February 2026.
- Matai Akinmboni (defender) – Long-term injury.
- Veljko Milosavljevic (midfielder) – Long-term injury.
- Ben Gannon-Doak (forward) – Long-term injury.
- Lewis Cook (midfielder) – Neck/knee issue; fitness test required.
- Ryan Christie (midfielder) – Groin/knee injury; major doubt.
- Amine Adli is unavailable due to Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) duty.
- Antoine Semenyo remains fully fit and is expected to lead the attack – he's been Bournemouth's standout performer with 9 goals this season.
- Iraola will likely need to reshuffle his midfield significantly, potentially relying on younger or less experienced options.
- Declan Rice (midfielder) – Knee swelling/knock from recent games; missed the Aston Villa win but improving. Arteta is optimistic – "depends on the swelling coming down," with a good chance of featuring.
- Riccardo Calafiori (defender) – Muscular problem; missed recent matches but will be assessed – possible return.
- Cristhian Mosquera (defender) – Serious injury (more severe than initially thought); out for weeks, likely until mid-January or later.
- Max Dowman (young midfielder) – Ankle ligament damage; out until at least February.
- Kai Havertz – Back in the squad after a four-month layoff (injury from August); was an unused substitute against Aston Villa and could feature for minutes.
- No AFCON absences for Arsenal, giving them a squad depth advantage over Bournemouth.
- Core players like Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, and David Raya are fully fit.
- Arteta has highlighted the team's resilience amid injuries, with the recent 4-1 win over Aston Villa showcasing their depth.
Bournemouth vs Arsenal Match Summary
Highlights - Bournemouth vs Arsenal
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Bournemouth possible starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez; Billing, Tavernier; Semenyo, Kluivert, Brooks; Evanilson.
Arsenal possible starting lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Rice, Ødegaard; Saka, Gyökeres, Trossard.
Bournemouth vs Arsenal
