Bournemouth have completed the signing of goalkeeper Fraser Forster in time for Saturday's Premier League encounter with Arsenal. The 37-year-old, who has been without a club since leaving Tottenham in the summer, has been registered with the Football Association and could feature for the Cherries at the Vitality Stadium.
Forster, a veteran of spells at Newcastle, Southampton and Celtic, is expected to provide cover for first-choice Djordje Petrovic. The Serbian summer signing has struggled this season, conceding 29 goals in 17 appearances, including four goals in matches against Liverpool, Aston Villa, Manchester United and Brentford. Bournemouth have not kept a clean sheet since a goalless draw with Chelsea in early December and sit 15th in the table, nine points above the relegation zone.
Arsenal travel to the south coast top of the Premier League with a four-point lead over Manchester City. Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed injury absentees Riccardo Calafiori and Cristhian Mosquera, while Declan Rice is a doubt with a knee swelling. Arteta expressed respect for Bournemouth and their manager Andoni Iraola, saying: 'Huge respect for them. I know Andoni really well at what he's doing. I think it's incredible.'
Arsenal face a busy January schedule, including matches against Liverpool, Portsmouth in the FA Cup, Chelsea in the League Cup, and Champions League ties against Inter Milan and Kairat, as well as Premier League games against Manchester United and Leeds. Securing three points against Bournemouth would be a significant boost to their title ambitions.
