Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli could both be back for Arsenal this weekend(Image: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Saka and Martinelli start, Nwaneri chance and Merino in – Dream Arsenal XI vs Bournemouth

Arsenal can field a dream line-up against Bournemouth if Mikel Arteta is fortunate with injury news this week

17 Oct 2024, 05:00 by Tom Canton · football.london

Arsenal travel to Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon as the Premier League resumes following a weekend off for the latest of the first three international breaks of the season. The Gunners may have wished not to see their unbeaten start to the season interrupted for a second time but they now need to refocus and build momentum again before the clash with Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium next week.

Mikel Arteta has had nine players out of the senior group or suffer problems while away with their respective nations. The number that have stayed behind has allowed the Spaniard more time to work with them and give a week off from action to recover from injury.

Arteta is expected to provide an update on his squad in Friday’s press conference. In the meantime, football.london takes a look at what a dream eleven might look like for the club against The Cherries.

David Raya kept two clean sheets for Spain during the break, and did well under pressure with his distribution which will please Arteta. William Saliba, meanwhile, had a less than fun time as a slip gave away a penalty against Belgium, although his teammate Gabriel Magalhaes had a better time being awarded man of the match against Chile.

Riccardo Calafiori watched on as Leandro Trossard scored to equalise for Belgium against his Italy side but would come back to start in the left-back role he has made his own. At right-back, the hope will be both Jurrien Timber and Ben White recover from their issues but the Dutchman has certainly impressed the most so far this season with his technical and defensive work rate.

Into midfield, and while Thomas Partey pulled out of international duty, it was understood this was because of illness rather than injury. Therefore he will hopefully be fine to return to the team, but the question of whether he should start remains.

Mikel Merino has also returned and his showing for Spain was very impressive; a start alongside Declan Rice is the choice of many. Ahead of them, it could be time to unleash the club's next rising star in the absence of Martin Odegaard.

Ethan Nwaneri captained and scored for England's Under-19s during the break. His ability continues to grow and the clock is ticking down to his first start in the league which could come here.

Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli both suffered with injury issues while away with England and Brazil respectively. However, with both thought to be minor, the dream would be for both to be passed fit to join Kai Havertz in the forward line and be back to full fitness ahead of Liverpool too.

Dream Arsenal XI vs Bournemouth: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Merino, Nwaneri; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli.

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