Arsenal did not have the Boxing Day they were planning on having. The team suffered an ugly loss to Southampton and now has just 48 hours to recover before taking the pitch again. The team is in desperate need of improving in Premier League play as the dismal season continues and now they will aim for a bounce back match against AFC Bournemouth on Monday.
According to Arsene Wenger, Arsenal is ready to improve after the 0-4 defeat on Boxing Day. The team has no time to sit and wallow in the loss that saw Southampton end their six-match losing streak. Bournemouth now sees the pressure needed to beat one of the Premier League's top squads. Wenger praised the team's attitude following the defeat as he believes a return to winning is right around the corner.
"I believe what I say to my players is between my players and myself," Wenger said, via ESPN.com. "These players have fantastic spirit and they can show that in 48 hours. We are in a job where we have to respond. We want to respond from disappointments. Unfortunately, there's no possible career without disappointment. Nobody, not even the best players in the world, can have that."
With Leicester taking a hit on Boxing Day, the Gunners have a chance to seize the opportunity to get back on top quickly. According to Wenger, changes could be made due to injuries. Alexis Sanchez and Jack Wilshere are both expected to be out alongside Mikel Arteta. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Calum Chambers would all be starters on Monday after impressing as substitutes Saturday. The depth of the roster should be encouraging to fans as Arsenal can set themselves up for a positive 2016 with a win on Monday.
Bournemouth should not be overlooked. The team drew 0-0 against Crystal Palace on Boxing Day. The team had plenty of chances in the match to get some goals, but they failed to finish things off resulting in the scoreless draw. Arsenal will certainly be a bigger beast than their Boxing Day opponents and the Cherries cannot afford to let opportunities go wasted. One key change that could be made is the starting of Harry Arter who came on as a sub. The midfielder did draw a yellow card in the match after returning from a hamstring injury. However, the Cherries might make the move to start him quickly.