Arsenalvs.Bournemouth

Mikel Arteta's men have already prevailed on 25 occasions this season, as well as drawing five games and losing a further five, to take up residence at the top of the division.

The Gunners have a five-point advantage over Liverpool, who could officially be eliminated from the title conversation this weekend if they lose to Tottenham Hotspur and Arteta's side sink the Cherries.

Arsenal also possess a one-point buffer over Manchester City, which will increase to four with a maximum on Saturday lunchtime, but the champions still have one game in hand and are therefore in control of the title race.

Arteta's crop can at least pile the pressure onto City's shoulders before the treble winners clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers in the evening kickoff, and a 26th triumph for the season would also equal their best tally in the Premier League era.

Arsenal bidding to emulate 2003-04 Invincibles

Arsenal have only achieved a club-high 26 wins in three previous Premier League seasons, hitting that tally in their title-winning 2001-02 and 2003-04 campaigns, going through the latter without suffering a single defeat.

Arteta also oversaw an identical number of victories in the 2022-23 season, where Arsenal spent 248 days at the summit of the table, only to lament a late collapse as City retained their top-flight crown for the third year running.

This time around, though, Arsenal have not shown any signs of a springtime capitulation, despite nearly throwing away a three-goal lead in last weekend's chaotic 3-2 beating of Tottenham Hotspur.

David Raya and Declan Rice - who committed the errors that allowed Spurs a route back into the game - had their blushes spared at full time, and Bukayo Saka hailed the manner of Arsenal's success as a sign of their increased maturity.

The 22-year-old suggested that the crop of 2022-23 would not have emerged victorious from such a fixture, and speaking in his pre-game press conference, Arteta echoed Saka's sentiments about a more "mature" Arsenal team.

Arteta names "factors" contributing to Arsenal success

Asked about the changes he noticed within the squad this season, the Spaniard replied: "Some of them are noticeable but some are as well related to what is happening in games. It is different what is happening.

"Last year at Spurs as well we had a very different game to the one we had in previous years or against any other rivals, but we managed the situation quite well.

"It could've been better and there's room for improvement but I think the team is more mature. Obviously the health and condition of the squad is in a much better place right now and all these factors I think contribute to being in a better position."

As well as chasing their wins record, Arsenal are also just four goals away from recording their highest total in a Premier League season, having already notched 85 top-flight strikes thus far.

The Gunners set a new club high of 88 in the 2022-23 season, while Arsene Wenger's team of 2004-05 conjured up 87 strikes but settled for a second-placed finish behind Chelsea.