Bournemouth boss refuses players' request before Arsenal clash as Mikel Arteta seeks title cushion
Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola has denied his squad an extra day off following their victory over Brighton, choosing instead to focus on beating Arsenal and building upon a record-breaking season.
The Cherries' 3-0 triumph over Brighton last week took them to 48 points, surpassing their previous top-flight campaign record of 46, set under Eddie Howe in the 2016-17 season.
This victory led the players to request two days off, but Iraola has decided to postpone their break until after Saturday's match against Premier League leaders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
"They asked me for two days, but the plan was already done," Iraola revealed with a grin during his pre-match press conference.
"They always ask when we win games. It's normal, sometimes you have to consider, sometimes no. This time we decided that we needed to prepare well for this game because we will really need it. They will have two days after Arsenal."
On the topic of the points record, Iraola commented: "It's good news. It's something we were trying to get in the past few weeks but now we still want more points. We have three very difficult games, starting with tomorrow, but we are going to keep trying to be competitive in every game."
"Tomorrow is a really difficult game for us, really difficult, they are in good form and they have no injuries or will have most of the squad available. They are playing for the title so it's going to be a difficult game and I hope we can be at the (right) level."
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The clash sees old friends Iraola and Mikel Arteta reunite, with the Basque managers having played together during their childhood in their home country. “We know each other really well,” Arteta said before the reverse fixture in September. “We played together, we had fantastic times together, we played in Antiguoko, it’s a team in San Sebastián that has produced a lot of players over the years.
“They do fantastic work and we are privileged to be raised there, to be educated there, and that’s the beauty of football - that 30, 40 years later, we are together in the Premier League both as managers, and I’m really happy for him.”
Arsenal need three points to keep the pressure on champions Manchester City, with Pep Guardiola knowing his side will lift the trophy provided they don't drop any more points in their remaining four matches.
And Mikel Arteta's side have the chance to restore their lead at the top of the Premier League to four points, with the Gunners hosting Bournemouth in the 12.30pm kick-off on Saturday. City, meanwhile, host Wolves at 5.30pm later in the day.