Arsenal are set to travel to the Vitality Stadium to take on Bournemouth on Saturday in their first clash of the new year, and Mikel Arteta will have another player to research ahead of the fixture
Aaron Morris Senior Sports Reporter
12:56, 02 Jan 2026
Mikel Arteta will have one more player to research ahead of this weekend’s clash(Image: PA)
Bournemouth have registered Fraser Forster for this weekend’s clash with Arsenal.
The 37-year-old shot-stopper has been a free agent since leaving Tottenham this summer, but could be back in action for the Cherries on Saturday, as they look to frustrate Mikel Arteta’s table-topping Gunners side.
A seasoned star with stints under his belt at Newcastle, Southampton and Celtic over the years, Forster is unlikely to get the nod ahead of Djordje Petrovic.
However, should the Serbian summer signing pick up an issue during the outing, then Forster could well be deployed as a replacement. As per The Telegraph, Bournemouth registered Forster with the Football Association for him to be involved vs Arsenal.
It comes as Petrovic – Bournemouth’s only fit senior keeper at present – has endured a rough patch with the Cherries at present, shipping a total of 29 goals this season in 17 appearances. With a goal difference of minus six, Bournemouth currently sit 15th in the Premier League standings, just nine points from safety.
Petrovic has also conceded four goals in each of Bournemouth’s matches against Liverpool, Aston Villa, Manchester United and Brentford this season, the latter witnessing him register an own goal after the ball deflected off him and into the back of his own net.
Unable to keep a clean sheet since Bournemouth’s goalless draw with Chelsea at the start of December, Andoni Iraola will hope for an inspired performance from the 26-year-old when he comes up against some of the league’s most prolific marksmen this weekend.
Fraser Forster has been registered for Saturday’s match(Image: Getty Images)
At the time of writing, Arsenal are flying high at the top of the Premier League table with a four-point lead over Manchester City. The team have scored a total of 37 goals this term, with Leandro Trossard and Viktor Gyokeres coming as their most dangerous outlets – both holding five strikes for their efforts.
However, Arteta will have a number of injuries to navigate when the Gunners do battle with the Cherries away from home on Saturday. The Spanish tactician confirmed during his pre-match press conference that both Riccardo Calafiori and Cristhian Mosquera will miss the game, while Declan Rice is touch and go as a result of a swelling on his knee.
Meanwhile, the head coach has also highlighted that he understands the task at hand against Bournemouth this weekend. He explained: “Huge respect for them. I know Andoni really well at what he’s doing.
Djordje Petrovic has struggled with form(Image: Getty Images)
“I think it’s incredible. And I’m watching all the games that they’ve played this season, and I guess the top side, how difficult they’ve made it, and how they’re having goal results against them as well.”
Three points against Bournemouth would go a long way in the race for the Premier League title, especially considering the hectic period of play which Arsenal will have to endure in the coming weeks.
Arsenal face Liverpool next Thursday, before traveling to Portsmouth in the FA Cup just three days later. Three days after that encounter, the Gunners are back in action in the League Cup, where they will face Chelsea, before returning to Premier League action days later to take on Nottingham Forest.
Champions League clashes with Inter Milan and Kairat, as well as top flight matches against Manchester United and Leeds make up the rest of Arsenal’s schedule for January.
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