Arsenal 0-0 Bournemouth – Premier League: Live score and updates as Mikel Arteta’s men aim to go four points clear

William Saliba must have a nose bleed because for some reason he is in the opposition’s box.

He drives into the area and forces Mark travers into a strong save from a tight angle. Moments later, Bukayo Saka almost recreates a carbon copy of the same chance, and once again, Travers is there to deny him.

Arsenal’s nerves will start to increase the more chances don’t go in.

William Saliba has just saved Gabriel’s blushes.

Dominic Solanke has been feeding off scraps so far, but he manages to nick the ball off Gabriel high up the pitch.

He drives into the area, but Saliba sweeps across to wrestle the ball back. A huge tackle.

That is why he is one of the best centre-backs in the world.

Another nearly moment for Arsenal.

Kai Havertz is sent through and fires a powerful half-volley towards the near post, but Mark Travers denies him.

The Emirates then stands up for a minute of applause to remember 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin, who was tragically killed last week.

Some of the Arsenal players join in too.

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor, at the Emirates Stadium:

Really fast start from Arsenal. Bournemouth already forced into flying blocks and last-ditch tackles. Need a goal to settle them at some stage, though, as it was like this against Aston Villa here last month and they ended up losing that one.

Ooooh, that’s a painful one for Bukayo Saka.

Ryan Christie goes in high and catches Saka on the knee and the Arsenal attacker looks in a lot of pain.

I’m surprised that this is not being checked by VAR, it is a really poor challenge.

Luckily for Arsenal, saka is made of tough stuff, it looks like he will be ok to carry on.

Wow, Arsenal are in full flow, it’s a joy to watch.

Kai Havertz provides a delightful flick to send Ben White driving into the box before he cuts it back to Leandro Trossard.

You think the net is about to ripple, but Marcos Senesi gets his body in the way to deny Trossard.

Incredible football and great defending.

The Bournemouth fans shout ‘wayyyy’ as Leandro Trossard misses the ball as he tries to pull the trigger following a corner.

They are nearly made to shut up almost instantly though when Trossard goes for goal again, but Bournemouth throw their bodies on the line to block both his and Martin Odegaard’s efforts.

You feel there will be a lot of that today.

Arsenal look like they are on top form today.

Bournemouth just can’t get out, the Gunners are pressing aggressively. You can tell they are desperate to open the scoring as soon as they can.

The Cherries will just have to try and hang in there.

Arsenal have already done better than they did last season against Bournemouth, they conceded after nine seconds on that occasion.

Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka have already combined, but the ball goes out for a goal-kick.

Those two are pivotal for the Gunners, when they combine, stuff usually happens.

Right, the waiting is over, the ball is now rolling at the Emirates.

The atmosphere has picked up a little, I must say. Arsenal will really need their fans today.

Can they make a fast start?

The pyro is on, the songs are being sung, and the sun is shining. What a setting.

The atmosphere has the classic feeling of a 12.30pm kick-off – not very loud at all.

Sadly we have to listen to the Premier League anthem, which if you read these a lot you know I don’t like.

Now it’s time for ‘North London Forever’…

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor, at the Emirates Stadium:

Kick-off is approaching here. It’s a lovely spring day and if there is any tension in this fanbase then it’s hard to detect it. Maybe the fact the title race is out of their hands is helping Arsenal a little with all that…

I would walk 500 miles… you know the song.

Well, it appears that this fan has a little more commitment than The Proclaimers, he has travelled 10,000 miles for today’s match.

You have to just say fair play, making a journey like that to see your team play is some trip.

Will captain Martin Odegaard keep him smiling by the end of the match?

Not long now until the ball is rolling at the Emirates.

The teams are now making their final preparations before it all kicks off, and for some reason, they are wearing jumpers…

I can’t believe it, it’s sweltering out there. We wait this long for weather like this and they wear jumpers in the warm-up.

Dominic Solanke is wearing what looks like a coat, he must be boiling.

Luckily, I’m in the comfort of an office that has air con.

Andoni Iraola, Bournemouth manager, speaking to TNT Sports:

I think it is now the next level. We are going to play against a team that is fighting for the title but we know the level of the game is going to be very high. I hope we have a good performance.

It is really nice to see Mikel again. We played together and we lost the relationship over the years but then we remember a lot of things. It is nice to play against him. I respect him as a manager and for me, it is going to be a challenge to beat Arsenal.

I know it is going to be difficult. I trust my players. We are in a good place but this is the next level. We have to be clinical when we have the chance and suffer when we have to suffer and be competitive.

I’m sorry, I know this sub-heading is probably overused, but it never gets old.

It’s true though, the Gunners love facing Bournemouth, they have won six out of their last seven meetings with them, drawing the other.

The Cherries have only managed one win from their last 15 matches with Arsenal in all competition. it came six years ago…

Should be straightforward then, right? We will find out.

Will Arsenal be getting their hands on this come the end of the season?

The Premier League trophy is within touching distance from Arsenal, I mean literally, it’s at their former home of Highbury right now.

It’s not close enough for the Gunners though, they want it to be safely stored at the Emirates soon. They need to win it for that to happen.

They better not drop points today if they really want it.

Thomas Partey, Arsenal midfielder, speaking to TNT Sports:

It is amazing to see (the fans) like this and it is a great time for us to show them what we can do and give them what they deserve. We have to go out from the first minute and give everything. We know how important this game is and we have to try and win.

We have a great weekend and we made it possible to come into this game. We have to give our best from the start and we have to win. I am really happy to be back (in the team). I know it was not easy and with the help of our manager and the staff, I am happy to be back.

Kai Havertz has proved a lot of people wrong this season.

The German forward certainly had his doubters, especially from the Gunners fanbase, when he arrived at Arsenal from Chelsea.

Admittedly, he didn’t get off to the best of starts at the club, did he? Oh boy, how times have changed lately though.

Havertz has 13 goal involvements in his last 11 Premier League appearances, which is as many as in his previous 58 matches.

He’s hitting form at the right time.

If one player is going to cause Arsenal problems, it’s this man… Dominic Solanke.

The striker has been in fine form this campaign, netting 18 Premier League goals.

That’s the most by a Bournemouth player in their entire history of Premier League football.

As a former Chelsea man, I’m sure he’d love to spoil Arsenal’s party.

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal boss, speaking on TNT Sports:

This is where we want to be fighting for medals and trophies at this time of the season. This is where we are. The team has to be able to compete and manage games, these guys are the masters of that.

They (the players) have to find the clarity on what we have to do and then have the belief that we are going to make it. The only way we can make them (Manchester City) suffer is by winning our games.

Wow, what a stunning day.

I can’t remember the last time I covered a football match in the weather that we have today.

Fans are lucky enough to just be wearing t-shirts today, and the Gunners fans are arriving home in their numbers.

They will need to muster a great atmosphere today, which doesn’t always happen at 12.30pm kick-offs.

Andoni Iraola has named his side to take on the title challengers.

He has decided to make just two changes from the side that put Brighton to the sword last weekend.

Illia Zabarnyi and Ryan Christie come in.

I can’t say I’m surprised that Mikel Arteta has decided to stay unchanged for a third game in a row.

This team has been in scintillating form of late, so why change it.

I don’t think we will be getting a snoozefest today.

Bournemouth have scored in 16 of their 17 Premier League away games this season, the only one they failed to score in came away at Everton.

Meanwhile, the Gunners have netted 85 goals in the league, so far. They have only bettered that tally twice in their history.

I think the net may be rippling a lot at the Emirates.

Arsenal have arrived at the Emirates.

It looks like Bukayo Saka has packed for a sleepover with his mates, I wonder why he has such a big bag?

Anyway, that doesn’t matter. I wonder what 11 Mikel Arteta is going to choose for this one.

Will he rotate, or will he stick to his guns? We will find out very soon.

This title race is on a knife-edge…

We are now realistically down to two horses, Liverpool fell at one of the final fences.

While Arsenal may be top by a point, Manchester City have a game in hand that will put them above the Gunners if they win.

Arsenal can’t think about that though, they just need to win their remaining games. They can go four points clear today before City player this evening.

I always say though, points in the bag are better than games in hand.

I wonder if Arsenal are feeling it, the pressure.

I mean, of course, they are. However, that doesn’t mean that they are going to crack under it.

Arsenal have shown with their response to the 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa that their mentality will take them to the bitter end in this title race.

They are going to need that mental strength today, games are like these are arguably the hardest when you are going for a title.

Everybody is expecting Arsenal to win, but they won’t have it easy. Bournemouth are having their best Premier League season to date.

People may think they are on the beach, but remember, they are away from the south coast today, I’m sure they wouldn’t mind sprinting a shock today.

Gunners fans, I’d strap yourselves in, today could be a rollercoaster of emotions.

Oh, what a glorious day for some football.

London is currently bathed in glorious sunshine. I’m not sure it will last, but it finally feels like crunch time in the campaign when the sun comes out.

It’s another pivotal day in terms of the title race, Arsenal simply have to win to keep the pressure on Manchester City.

Today they face Bournemouth, and Gunners fans will know from this fixture last season that playing the Cherries is not straightforward.

Mikel Arteta’s side need everything to go right at this time of the season, this is their penultimate home game. May the fourth be with them… (I’m sorry).

Right, I think it’s about time we get this show on the road, don’t you?