Arteta calls on Arsenal fans to ‘get up early’ for ‘big day’ against Bournemouth

Mikel Arteta has urged Arsenal supporters to treat tomorrow’s 12:30 kick-off against Bournemouth as the occasion it deserves.

A win at the Emirates could move the Gunners 12 points clear in the title race and represent a major stride towards their first Premier League title since 2004.

Arsenal go into Saturday’s lunchtime clash on the back of a midweek Champions League first-leg win over Sporting, having recovered from defeats by Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final and Southampton in the FA Cup. Arteta was asked how much work it took to lift his players after those setbacks.

“It is a balance,” he said. “It is better to observe first and see the natural reaction and see what we are made of, collectively and individually. We felt they didn’t need much because the reaction was top. The understanding of why we lost those matches and how we were going to put it right — and I think it was a really good reaction against Sporting.”

Arsenal eye 12-point gap

With Manchester City drawing against West Ham last weekend and facing Chelsea on Sunday, Arsenal have the chance to open up a significant cushion at the top. Arteta was not short of words on what that opportunity means.

“The closer we get, the relevance and importance of the match increases,” he said. “Tomorrow is a big day for us. The players know it, the supporters know it. It is a 12:30 kick-off, an early kick-off, so get up early, have an early breakfast, bring your lunch and let’s go altogether for it because it has to be a big day.”

City still hold a game in hand, but Arsenal’s superior run of form and a points haul of 70 from 31 games has put them firmly in the driving seat. Arteta and his players know that another three points tomorrow keeps the pressure soley on Guardiola’s side ahead of their clash with Chelsea.

Arteta’s Plea to the Emirates

Early kick-offs have long been a point of conversation at the Emirates, where the atmosphere can take time to build at lunchtime. Arteta addressed it head on, making clear that tomorrow is not a morning to ease in gently.

“I don’t know,” he said when asked why 12:30 starts seem harder to get going. “We know the meaning of every match here and the opportunity that we have, especially at home, we need to maximise every resource. It is about every individual and how they turn up and how they impact the atmosphere and the energy.

“Whoever goes there tomorrow, I would please ask them to be there with that mindset, that energy and that commitment because the team will respond beautifully to that.”

Bournemouth arrive at the Emirates on an unbeaten league run of 11 matches and sit 13th in the table.

The last side to beat them in the Premier League was Arsenal themselves, back in January.