Nicolas Pepe is not in the squad for Arsenal's Premier League clash with Bournemouth. football.london understands that the Ivorian is attracting interest from Nice over a loan move and the decision has been taken to leave him out for the trip to the south coast as talks continue between the two clubs.
Replacing him in the squad is Fabio Vieira, who makes the bench for the first team for the first time since his summer transfer from Porto. The Portuguese midfielder played for the under-21s in midweek along with Emile Smith Rowe and both are on the bench for the match against the Cherries.
It's an unchanged starting XI yet again for Arteta which means that Ben White keeps his place in the starting XI ahead of Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oleksandr Zinchenko stays in despite Kieran Tierney getting closer to full fitness.
READ MORE: Bournemouth vs Arsenal LIVE: Pepe left out, team news, stream details and kick-off news
In midfield, Granit Xhaka will be looking to carry on his impressive form for Arsenal ahead of Thomas Partey. Martin Odegaard meanwhile captains the side again.
On the right wing it's Bukayo Saka, who becomes the second youngest Arsenal player after Cesc Fabregas to reach 100 Premier League appearances. Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli, meanwhile, will look to continue their impressive partnership that they have quickly formed in attack.
Arsenal starting XI vs Bournemouth - Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
Arsenal bench vs Bournemouth - Turner, Tomiyasu, Holding, Tierney, Elneny, Sambi Lokonga, Vieira, Smith Rowe, Nketiah.
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