Paul Merson and Chris Sutton disagree on Arsenal score prediction as Mikel Arteta sent warning

With Manchester City and Liverpool both playing on Sunday, Arsenal have the chance to claim first place

Paul Merson and Chris Sutton have predicted whether Arsenal can defeat Bournemouth. The Gunners will lock horns with the Cherries at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday afternoon as either side looks to climb the Premier League.

Before the international break, Arsenal, who haven't tasted defeat in the English top flight since April, enjoyed 3-1 victory over Southampton. As for Bournemouth, they suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Leicester City, so Andoni Iraola will be determined to return to winning ways.

While the north Londoners may have a spring in their step, Merson and Sutton believe it could be a close game. Speaking to SportsKeeda, the Arsenal legend said: "This fixture is a potential banana skin for Arsenal.

"There's always this thing with matches after the international break, remember how Liverpool slipped up against Nottingham Forest last month? Bournemouth are a funny team, they were close to beating Chelsea and were also beaten by Leicester.

"You cannot underestimate these teams. If Arsenal end up losing points in such games, it could cost them like last season. I think Arsenal's quality will come through in the end here though, I expect them to win."

Merson added: "But they will have to make changes to the line-up that played against Southampton. If they play that same team, they won't beat Bournemouth. The more I think, this fixture has banana skin written all over it. Prediction: Bournemouth 1-3 Arsenal."

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Then, in a column for BBC Sport, Sutton said: "Arsenal have got a few injury issues to deal with, including Bukayo Saka, who limped off with a hamstring injury during England's defeat by Greece. He is in my Fantasy team so I am hoping he will be fit, and so will all Gunners fans.

"Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli are also injury doubts, while Martin Odegaard is still sidelined, but we know that the Gunners can still grind out results even if they are missing some of their best attacking players."

The former Chelsea striker added: "They have an excellent defence, which is behind this habit they have of always finding a way to get a result, but this time I would not be surprised if they came unstuck.

"Bournemouth always create chances, whoever they play against. The Cherries' issue has been that they have not always taken those opportunities... but Saturday could be a different story. 1-1."

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