Sutton's predictions: Bournemouth v Tottenhampublished at 08:33 GMT 7 January
08:33 GMT 7 January
Bournemouth have gone 11 league games without a win but they have been unfortunate not to get over the line in a couple of those matches.
I always think the Cherries have got a goal in them and they showed that when I watched them draw 2-2 with Chelsea last week, then again against Arsenal on Saturday - albeit in a 3-2 defeat.
The Antoine Semenyo situation is fascinating, because we all know he is joining Manchester City this month but, after facing the Gunners, will he get another game for Bournemouth here?
Whether Semenyo plays or not, it is hard to back Tottenham at the moment.
It is also difficult to make a case that Spurs have really improved under Thomas Frank this season.
They are 13th at the moment and, when they were struggling under Ange Postecoglou this time last year, they were a place better off after 20 games and he was getting panned.
For whatever reason, it has just not clicked for them in the final third under Frank and I don't see that changing here.
Bournemouth won this fixture 1-0 last season, and also won 1-0 at Spurs in August. One goal should be enough for them this time, too.
Iraola on Kluivert's injury and Semenyo's probable exitpublished at 13:59 GMT 6 January
13:59 GMT 6 January
Katie Stafford BBC Sport journalist
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game against Tottenham at Vitality Stadium (kick-off 19:30 GMT).
Here are the key headlines from his news conference:
Justin Kluivert will have surgery on his left knee after being injured against Arsenal. Iraola said "it is very bad news" and he cannot not give a timescale for his return until the surgery has taken place on Thursday.
He said "it could be" Antoine Semenyo's last game for Bournemouth before his expected exit but there is "nothing agreed and nothing signed" yet.
Iraola added Semenyo has "been very professional" about the situation and he will be "almost impossible to replace".
On whether he is disappointed that Semenyo has chosen to leave: "Everyone has to make their own decisions. We are all different. I suppose when a big club comes calling, it's difficult. But we still don't know what is going to happen!"
Centre-back Veljko Milosavljevic has returned to training, but Ryan Christie needs "more time" to continue his recovery as he still has some pain when kicking the ball.
On the Cherries' recent results: "We are one of the teams that scores more goals and one of the teams that concedes more goals. We need to deal better inside our box."
On the financial position of the club in this transfer window: "I don't know our financial fair play situation. I understand the club has to sell some players to position themselves better for the next windows. I am not part of those decisions as head coach. I try to help in the process when signing players but I am not involved in the economical side."
Spurs game likely to be Semenyo's last for Bournemouthpublished at 13:34 GMT 6 January
13:34 GMT 6 January
Image source, PA Media
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola believes Wednesday's Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur will be Antoine Semenyo's final game for the Cherries.
BBC Sport reported last week that Manchester City were in advanced talks with Bournemouth last week after agreeing to meet the winger's £65m release clause, which must be activated by 10 January.
Several top Premier League clubs have been linked with signing Semenyo in recent months.
Iraola received an update on the 25-year-old's future before his pre-match news conference on Tuesday.
He said: "I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow or the next two or three days, but I've asked before coming here just to tell me, otherwise I will look foolish there talking about Antoine and then [he leaves]. And that's the situation in this moment of the day.
"I think it could be the last game," added Iraola. "That is my personal opinion, but there is nothing agreed and nothing signed. It is my personal opinion as I understand the market and the noise but there is nothing agreed right now.
"He, right now, is our player and I hope it continues."
Iraola also said Semenyo is "almost impossible to replace".
Gossip: Leweling offer rejected by Stuttgartpublished at 07:02 GMT 6 January
07:02 GMT 6 January
Bournemouth were prepared to pay 40m euros (£34.7m) for Stuttgart and Germany winger Jamie Leweling as a replacement for Antoine Semenyo, who is closing in on a transfer to Manchester City, but the Bundesliga club rejected the Cherries' offer. (Sky Sports - in German), external
Hill 'grabbing opportunity with both hands'published at 16:07 GMT 5 January
16:07 GMT 5 January
Sam Davis Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Every man and his dog are aware that Bournemouth lost the entirety of their defensive unit from last season, but recently, it has allowed a relatively unknown name to take his opportunity.
Following the departures of elite centre-backs Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi in the summer, the Cherries reacted by bringing in Bafode Diakite and Veljko Milosavljevic.
After an impressive few performances, Milosavljevic has been sidelined with a knee injury and, with Diakite still struggling to adapt to life in the Premier League, it was a dilemma as to who should partner Marcos Senesi in the Cherries' backline.
In recent games, Andoni has opted to give James Hill his opportunity and the young defender is grabbing it with both hands. Despite being chucked in at the deep end against both Chelsea and Arsenal, Hill has performed excellently and even added a calming presence to a somewhat shaky defence.
Given he has sat on the bench intently watching our style of play, there is something to be said about a player who can step in, knowing exactly what his manager requires for his centre-backs - so what he might lack in finesse he makes up for with know-how.
Having signed from Fleetwood in January 2022, the 23-year-old has always been seen as a backup player in the squad and has had loan spells at Hearts and Blackburn during his short time on the south coast.
After waiting in the wings for limited opportunities, he is starting to show his quality and could well be pivotal in solving the Cherries' defensive issues.
Given he has already accumulated caps at England Under-20 and Under-21 level, Hill evidently 'has something' and now may be the time that this shows itself on the main stage.
Bournemouth 2-3 Arsenal - the fans' verdictpublished at 07:09 GMT 5 January
07:09 GMT 5 January
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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Bournemouth and Arsenal.
Here are some of your comments:
Bournemouth fans
Gabe: A performance to be proud of, especially in the first half. Very happy to see both our strikers score. Kroupi is a star! Our defence now is definitely looking better in dealing with intensity. The Senesi-Hill partnership is working well at the moment. Hopefully we can turn these recent good performances into a win on Wednesday.
Bob: Goal difference is an indication of the Cherries' major problem. Physical strength was an apparent difference and there was a definite lack of a target man up front.
Lee: We started the game well and probably shaded the first half, but then gave away two very cheap goals in the second half and that made it hard to come back. Overall, I thought we matched Arsenal but we are conceding too may goals and up front we have to be more clinical. Next up is Spurs so come on, you Cherries!!
Arsenal fans
Banda: Arsenal didn't play perfectly, but they kept their cool and showed real grit. Coming away with a win in a tight match like that is exactly the kind of fight we need if we want the title. Still, the defence has to tighten up a bit, but I'm loving the fight!
Paul: A better side than Bournemouth would have beaten Arsenal. Far too many chances conceded - 15 shots to 12! Declan Rice won it on his own with a standout display of tackles, running and finishes.
Tim: Ground out a great result after a below-par performance in the first half - all while being able to rest and rotate key players. A great result against a team we lost to in the corresponding fixture last season. On to the Liverpool game on Thursday.
Bournemouth 2-3 Arsenal: What Iraola and Cook saidpublished at 20:14 GMT 3 January
20:14 GMT 3 January
Media caption,
Andoni Iraola spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Bournemouth's defeat against Arsenal: "It is a feeling we've had a lot lately. We do a lot of good things but go away with one point or no points.
"Today we conceded three goals against Arsenal but they have not had a lot of chances. Overall it was quite a level game, we were better in the first half but Arsenal had the better of the second half. It is very difficult to score two against Arsenal but to finish without a point is frustrating.
"We have to be very good to get just one point. Arsenal found a way to win it and that is costing us a lot.
"I was quite unhappy with the referee. The third goal came from a free-kick that was not a free-kick. We were complaining because we felt he made a mistake [to blow full-time when Semenyo had the ball at the end]
On Semenyo's future: "The situation hasn't changed. I expect him to play the next one. There is a lot of noise, I can't control that. Antoine is our player and until I am told he is not he will continue playing."
Lewis Cook spoke to Sky Sports: "Against a top, top side that are top of the league for a reason, we know we had to be at our best for 90 minutes of the game to get three points. I would say yes we were good in large spells of the game, we competed really well, unfortunately we couldn't get all the goals to come away with a point."
On Bournemouth's defence: "Obviously Arsenal take their moments, they're a great, well drilled team I do feel like when we're at our best we can compete with a team like that. I think we showed that today but it wasn't enough."
Holding onto the positives: "We are on a bit of a winless run but we've picked up points and had some good performances in a tough run and I think we have to reflect on them and take the positives."
Did you know?
Bournemouth's Premier League games have seen 69 goals (31 for and 38 against), at least seven more than other team's matches in the competition this season.
The Cherries have failed to win eight Premier League games this season when scoring 2+ goals (D5 L3), twice as many as any other side in the competition.
Listen to BBC Radio Solent's interviews with Iraola and Cook here
Analysis: Entertainers again but no win - againpublished at 19:41 GMT 3 January
19:41 GMT 3 January
Emlyn Begley BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Bournemouth's slide down the table is continuing. The 3-2 loss to Arsenal makes it 11 games without a win - their worst run in a top-flight season.
They sit 15th, although nine points above the relegation zone, having failed to win a game since October.
But this has not been a run without creditable results and performances. In December they drew with Chelsea and had a remarkable 4-4 match at Manchester United.
Bournemouth had more shots than Arsenal here - 15 to 12 - and had the better chances in the first half. They are only the third team to score more than once against the Gunners in a game this season.
But nonetheless this is another defeat. Their frustrations boiled over when Chris Kavanagh blew the final whistle while they were on the attack and thought they still had time to equalise.
Antoine Semenyo may be on his way to City soon, although boss Andoni Iraola hopes he will play against Tottenham on Wednesday - either way, in Eli Junior Kroupi they have a real talent.
The 19-year-old Frenchman is now the top-scoring teenager in the Premier League this season with six goals, one every 85 minutes.
Arsenal make three changes from the side who beat Aston Villa 4-1.
Declan Rice, back from a knee problem, starts instead of Mikel Merino - and Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard drop to the bench, with starts for Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli.
Arsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard, Madueke, Martinelli, Gyokeres.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Brighton v Burnley" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Bournemouth v Arsenal", for instance.
Sutton's predictions: Bournemouth v Arsenalpublished at 11:04 GMT 3 January
11:04 GMT 3 January
I covered Bournemouth's 2-2 draw with Chelsea on Tuesday and the Cherries really impressed me.
Andoni Iraola's side have gone 10 games without a win, but they have drawn four of their past five matches and they carried a real threat against the Blues.
Their goals came from a couple of long throws but they did look dangerous in open play and, with the way Iraola plays, this is not going to be easy for Arsenal.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta will know that already after Bournemouth did the double over his side last season, but he and his players must be full of confidence after the way they dispatched Aston Villa last time out.
To beat Villa was a huge result and their performance to go with it was Arsenal really flexing their muscles.
It said to everyone "we are the team to beat" and you can't back against them following it up by beating Bournemouth as well.
Bournemouth v Arsenal: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:04 GMT 2 January
19:04 GMT 2 January
Matthew Hobbs BBC Sport journalist
Arsenal continue their title challenge with a trip to face a Bournemouth side who have not won any of their past 10 Premier League matches.
BBC Sport examines some of the key themes ahead of Saturday's meeting at the Vitality Stadium (17:30 GMT).
Bournemouth's unwanted record
Bournemouth begin the new year facing the league leaders on their longest winless run in a single campaign in the club's top-flight history.
The Cherries have failed to win any of their past 10 league fixtures and, although Andoni Iraola's side came from behind to earn a point at Stamford Bridge last time out, they start 2026 in 15th position in the table having won just five matches so far this season.
Such a downturn in form is perhaps not entirely unexpected for a club who sold 10 players last summer, including three of Bournemouth's preferred back four, at a trading profit of just over £81m.
The south coast club's recruitment has generally been impeccable, although selling your best players on a consistent basis is a strategy likely to come unstuck eventually – and the next departure on that list looks almost certain to be Antoine Semenyo.
The star winger has a £65m release clause in his contract that has become active in the January transfer window, and the home meeting with Arsenal could be his final swansong before leaving Bournemouth – with Manchester City reportedly in negotiations for his services.
Should Semenyo depart as expected this month, a struggling side will be deprived of a key operator at a critical juncture of the season.
Image caption,
Antoine Semenyo has been Bournemouth's star performer this season
Arsenal's good form continues
Bournemouth did the league double over Arsenal in 2024-25 but there are long odds of repeating last season's triumph at the Vitality Stadium, against a visiting side who have lost only once in their past 16 league outings.
Arsenal's 4-1 win against in-form Aston Villa may prove to be a pivotal moment come the end of the season and Manchester City's goalless draw at Sunderland on Thursday evening means that the Gunners ended New Year's Day with a four-point lead at the top of the table.
The title race, however, remains very much alive, according to recent history. This is the sixth time that Arsenal have topped the Premier League table by the end of New Year's Day and in all five previous instances, they failed to win the title.
Image caption,
Arsenal are yet to turn a lead at this stage of the season into a Premier League title
After games had ended on 1 January 2023, Mikel Arteta's side led by seven points (albeit having played three games fewer) and went on to finish second, five points behind Manchester City.
Arsenal, though, remain tough to beat and ultimately thrashed a Villa side who had won their previous 11 matches in all competitions – despite missing captain Declan Rice due to injury.
Former Premier League forward Clinton Morrison subsequently called Arsenal's squad depth "an absolute joke", referencing the impact of Gabriel Jesus as a substitute since his return from a lengthy injury lay-off in December.
Arsenal can also afford to bolster their numbers in January, with the club "actively looking" at new signings – which could be an ominous prospect for their title rivals.
Ryan Christie will not be available for the visit of the league leaders, while Lewis Cook's fitness will be assessed and a late call made on his involvement .
Iraola was asked if Semenyo will be involved on Saturday: "Yes, Antoine is going to play in this match."
On whether it will be the forward's last match for Bournemouth: "No, no. I think the idea at least is that he's going to be available for these two games that we have in a very short turnaround. I hope he can be here more time but I don't know what is going to happen."
When asked again if the Arsenal game will be his farewell, Iraola added: "No, that is not the idea. When the market is open you never know what is going to happen because you cannot control these things, but if you ask me right now, I don't think so."
On a deal being agreed: "No, there is nothing signed. For sure, there are conversations and I understand a lot of the noise around, but there is nothing signed. Antoine is our player. We want to keep him. He is playing very well and doing the right things. He is a top professional, a top guy. He wants to help the team and his team-mates and I have no doubts that he will do his best. I have no doubts with him... He is being a top professional and I'm sure he will be until the last day."
Asked about Julian Araujo, who has joined Celtic on loan, Iraola said the defender needs "more consistent minutes to recover his form" and that he hopes he "can do well and come back in the summer to fight for the position".
Iraola said he was "surprised" Enzo Maresca left Chelsea after they drew with the Cherries midweek. Asked what he would say if the Blues approached him about the job, the Spaniard replied that he is "very happy" where he is, adding: "My issues is not about these things. I want to improve the situation we have right now in this run."
On Saturday's opponents: "It is not going to be easy. They are the best team in the league defensively and there is a reason they are top of the league."
Who had the best 2025?published at 10:22 GMT 1 January
10:22 GMT 1 January
Nicola Pearson BBC Sport journalist
A normal Premier League season may run from August to May, but what happens if we stop the table now? What if it was only what happened in 2025 that counted?
With the calendar flicking over to 2026, this is the ideal time to check back on which teams have had an enjoyable 12 months and see who had a year to forget.
The top five is an accurate reflection of this season's top five (although it should be noted not all teams have played the same number of games).
Arsenal have led the way this campaign and, after coming up short last season, they will be striving to go one better to finally secure an elusive first Premier League trophy since 2004.
If looking just at the past 12 months, the title would be theirs, despite a number of draws early in 2025.
Having gone through their worst run of form under Pep Guardiola late in 2024 and early into 2025, alongside their initial poor start to this season, it may be surprising to find Manchester City so close at the top.
But a feature of this City side under Guardiola is their ability to recover from less than impressive starts and go on winning streaks - they are currently on a run of six wins in the league.
Aston Villa fans can look also back fondly on 2025, having experienced the return of Champions League football, secured more European football again this term and found themselves in a battle for the Premier League trophy.
They may have had a slow start this season but their general consistency in 2025 and a club record-equalling run of 11 straight wins in the final weeks catapults them into the top three.
Having won the title with ease last season, Liverpool fans can still revel in that achievement. But a drop-off at the end of 2024-25 and a poor run this time around leaves them fourth for the year.
Meanwhile, Chelsea made progress in 2025 under Enzo Maresca, with Champions League football and two bits of silverware, but a lack of consistency in a young team prevents them ascending higher than fifth.
When looking at the next five, there are perhaps some surprises.
With their FA Cup win, 2025 will go down in Crystal Palace's history, and their Premier League form has not been too shabby either as they compete with the teams that have occupied Champions League spots in recent seasons.
No Thomas Frank, Bryan Mbeumo or Yoane Wissa? No problem for Brentford. They may have had a summer of upheaval but that has not stopped the Bees buzzing as they continue to perform above expectations.
After a few years of struggles on and off the pitch, 2025 seems to be the one Everton fans can finally start to look up rather than down with the new stadium and return of David Moyes bringing much-needed stability.
Newcastle may have had a few ups and downs, but they have come good when needed and hold their own in the top six, while Brighton continue to establish themselves firmly in the top 10.
Find out how the bottom half of the table shapes up on the post below
Who struggled in 2025?published at 10:21 GMT 1 January
10:21 GMT 1 January
Now, what about those who may have had a less enjoyable 2025?
Manchester United continue to try to find their feet under Ruben Amorim. And while there have been glimmers of progress in recent weeks, a torrid first half of the year has left them with much room for improvement (and a draw with Wolves to end 2025 only added to the questions).
Bournemouth and Fulham both seem to have found consistency in their ability to be inconsistent.
There have been bursts of form from both, but also bouts of disappointment they might rather forget.
As for Nottingham Forest, 2025 may have been the year they returned to Europe for the first time in nearly three decades, but when it came to results in the league, particularly this season, it has been more of one to forget.
Under their third head coach of the season, they will hope 2026 does not bring the return of Championship football.
Like Forest, Tottenham's 12 months has been memorable for both the good and the bad.
A first trophy in 17 years was secured in the Europa League, but it has been far from impressive in the Premier League, managing just 11 wins from 37 matches and some pressure already building on boss Thomas Frank.
One of the most notable things about the bottom end of the calendar year table is the presence of all three promoted teams, despite two of the three having played a game less than the relegated clubs of last season.
With Leeds nine points better off and Sunderland 17, it highlights the disparity in how well this year's promoted sides have done in comparison to the previous three.
For the Black Cats, it has been a dream return to the top flight, including a recent win over Tyne-Wear rivals Newcastle, and in this season's table they find themselves just two points off fifth.
After overcoming a difficult patch, Leeds are also enjoying their return to the top table, slowly pulling themselves away from the danger spots.
It has been more of a struggle for Scott Parker's Burnley, but they will not lose hope with still half a campaign to go.
After recent successes with European football, domestically things have become a harder watch for West Ham supporters as they struggle to find the balance between good football and much-needed results
Then there is Wolves - and fans may want to look away.
Despite playing 20 Premier League games more, the West Midlands side accumulated only one point more than Sunderland across the year.
A win this term still eludes them and safety in 2026 appears a distant dream.
Check out how the top half of the table looked in the post above
Why Man City should keep Semenyo at Bournemouth a little longerpublished at 09:59 GMT 1 January
09:59 GMT 1 January
Mark Mitchener BBC Sport senior journalist
Image source, Getty Images
As 2026 dawns, the drawn-out saga of Antoine Semenyo's exit from Bournemouth seems finally close to its conclusion.
With a proposed £65m move to Manchester City having moved from "talks" to "advanced talks" (with, no doubt, "final talks" to come), Semenyo's body language after the final whistle of Tuesday's 2-2 draw at Chelsea, hugging team-mates and applauding the away fans, was that of a man saying goodbye.
However, Cherries boss Andoni Iraola's post-match interviews indicated he did not believe it was Semenyo's final game, and that he expected him to feature against Arsenal at Vitality Stadium on Saturday.
Indeed, might it even be in City's broader interests for Semenyo to help Bournemouth take a point or two off the Gunners, who are City's main rivals for the Premier League title, before finalising his move?
Thankfully for all parties, Semenyo avoided picking up a fifth yellow card of the season at Stamford Bridge, having walked a disciplinary tightrope for the past three games.
A fifth caution would have ruled him out of the next round of matches, whichever shirt he wears – but having reached the 19-game mark safely, players are now safe from suspension unless they rack up 10 bookings in their first 32 league games.
An even more impressive high-wire act has come from Bournemouth defender Alex Jimenez, booked on his first three appearances after joining on loan from AC Milan, but only collecting one yellow card in his next 12 outings so he, too, has evaded a ban.
Gossip: Cherries express interest in Nwaneripublished at 09:30 GMT 1 January
09:30 GMT 1 January
Bournemouth are one of multiple Premier League clubs to express interest in Arsenal's 18-year-old forward Ethan Nwaneri. (Mail), external
Celtic are in talks with Bournemouth over a loan deal for Julian Araujo and want to have the defender available for their meeting with Rangers on 3 January. (Daily Record), external
