Bournemouth's King faces fitness test ahead of Arsenal game

King, who has started nine league games scoring four goals this season, aggravated an ankle issue in Bournemouth's goalless draw with Southampton last month, but has since resumed training with the squad.

Bournemouth's King faces fitness test ahead of Arsenal game

(Reuters)





"Joshua King has improved and trained with the group and we'll be excited if he is fit," Howe told a news conference.

Howe said his squad was in a better position injury-wise than after their 2-1 defeat at Newcastle United before the international break.

"We had a number of players with knocks...The break has given us the chance to nurse our players and we'll look at them all and assess their fitness ahead of Sunday," he added.

Bournemouth will be without experienced defender Adam Smith, who underwent a knee operation to repair torn cartilage earlier this month.

Bournemouth beat Arsenal 2-1 in this fixture last season but Howe said he expected a stern test against Unai Emery's fifth-placed side.

"On paper it is set up to be a very good game. Arsenal have adapted well to the new manager. They have outstanding players, a really good look about their team and are balanced."

Victory at the Vitality Stadium could extend Bournemouth's solid start to the campaign, with the team sixth in the standings with 20 points from 12 matches.





(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Mark Heinrich)


Share
2 min read

Published

Source: Reuters


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world
Bournemouth's King faces fitness test ahead of Arsenal game | SBS News