Arsenal vs Bournemouth LIVE: Premier League team news line ups and more today

The Premier League leaders will nevertheless test Newcastle’s position.

The Saudi-owned club’s hierarchy nevertheless want to illustrate that they won’t be pushed around, and a distinctive aim is to show they can be on a par with clubs like Arsenal over the next few seasons.

They will likely attempt to ward off interest in Isak by exploring a new contract, but the response to that may well indicate how committed he is to the project.

Newcastle’s Saudi Arabian ownership is intent on keeping such players as a show of intent. Isak has scored 23 goals in 36 games this season, amid a series of sparkling performances.

It is for the same reasons that Arteta has the Swedish international at the top of his list.

Arsenal looked at a striker in the January window but their own PSR restrictions prevented a move, with the position further influenced by the lack of value on the market.

Arteta now sees plenty of value in Isak, although the club have a set price and do not want to get into a long-winded saga where they go back and forth.

There is a short list of names that Arsenal see as strong targets beyond that, and they will be prepared to move on should a deal prove difficult to complete quickly.

Alexander Isak is at the top of Arsenal‘s list of striking targets for the summer, as Mikel Arteta is now intent on buying the forward that will complete his team.

Newcastle United are strongly resistant to selling the Swedish star, and will even seek to offer him a new deal.

Although the pressure from PSR regulations has created an expectation that Newcastle would have to sell to buy, with the 24-year-old their finest talent.

“Everybody is fit and available so now it’s the headache to make the right selection,” Arteta said.

Asked if Timber’s return could be a timely boost to the squad as the title fight heads into the final three weeks, Arteta added: “Yes, because it increases the quality of the training sessions.

“You see how commanding he is, his leadership, his quality and the rest they have to lift it up and they start to demand more from each other and they look at each other and say ‘I better be good because I want to keep playing,’ and this is very positive for the squad.

“It’s tricky because there are only three games to go and he has missed eight months of football.

“He’s played only 150 minutes of football with the under-21s, it’s a question that can only be resolved by throwing him on the pitch and we will see what happens, we have to try to nail that decision.”

Mikel Arteta believes Jurrien Timber could still have a part to play in Arsenal’s Premier League title run-in – despite not playing since August.

The defender is back in contention for Saturday’s visit of Bournemouth having worked his way back to fitness following a serious knee injury suffered on his league debut against Nottingham Forest.

Having returned to training and improved his fitness levels by turning out for the Under-21s, Arteta revealed the 22-year-old will be part of his squad against the Cherries.

Arsenal will hope to put the pressure on fellow title chasers Manchester City as they take on AFC Bournemouth.

Mikel Arteta’s side enter the weekend top of the table, a single point ahead of his former club, who have a game in hand, and five in front of a fading Liverpool.

With their closest rivals not playing until later on Saturday, Arsenal will hope to secure another win and take a step towards a first title in two decades.

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage, build up and team news ahead of Arsenal vs Bournemouth, which kicks off at 12.30pm.