Hello and how are you? After our different journeys in different cups, we’re back in Premier League action, this time facing south-coasters Bournemouth AFC at the Emirates in a lunch-time KO.

A win is utterly crucial today, nothing would please more the Arsenal universe than thrashing the Cherries 5-0, although in the end I suppose we will take a 1-0 win ( even with high-blood pressure and bitten down nails)…

Bournemouth are no pushover though; they are undefeated in their last eleven and are hoping to clinch a Euro-spot for next season. Although, their last five were draws.

Merino, Saka, Timber! and the Calafury look unlikely, Eze trained on Friday, as did Hincapié, so who knows? Trossard and Martin Ø picked up knocks against Sporting so they might not start.

For Bournemouth; Adams, Soler and wonder kid Kroupi might return but Kluivert and Cook are AWOL.

The boys at Statto HQ ran over the numbers and have calculated the Arsenal have a 66.3% chance of winning and Bournemouth have 14.1%. Next up on Wednesday round two of the Champions league quarter final versus Sporting at ours. So COYG!

Mills

This is it boy’s, this is war, this is what we’ve waited for. As one very good looking German lady once said. At 12.30 PM Mikel will blow his whistle and send his most trusted warriors, over the top and into battle. And I expect that to be exactly what this game will be, a dogfight, a slog, and attempt to out fight the opposition, rather than out play them. A war of attrition. I hope I’m wrong, but I can’t see the handbrake being touched, let alone let off.

I really think this is it today, this is the league . Win and we go to City knowing a draw is a tremendous result, but on the flip side, lose and the roof falls in.

Recent results, and more importantly, performances, have shattered my confidence, lets hope the players are made of sterner stuff than me.

If I even believed there was a 1% chance that there was a God, I’d be on my knees right now. Fear and trepidation have consumed me. THIS GAME IS HUGE.

Pedantic George.