Alex Scott maintains faith that Bournemouth can seal European qualification despite the race for eighth spot tilting against them last week, with a trip to Arsenal next up.

Bournemouth were set to return to eighth in the table – which could be enough for Conference League qualification – when they led Manchester United 1-0 on Sunday.

However, Evanilson's red card, which was later rescinded on appeal, turned the game against the Cherries and Rasmus Hojlund equalised for United in the 96th minute.

That 1-1 draw came after Fulham and Brighton – Bournemouth's chief rivals for European qualification – both secured wins in the 90th minute on Saturday, against Southampton and West Ham respectively.

Bournemouth also have a difficult run-in, facing Aston Villa and Manchester City following their trip to the Emirates Stadium, then concluding the season against Leicester City.

"Just like that it changes. Brighton and Fulham both score in the 90th minute and that fuelled us on Sunday, I think," Scott told BBC Radio Solent. 

"We knew we had to get three points. Obviously we didn't manage to do that so it's gutting but we've got enough in us.

"We know we can compete with the top teams in this league. We've got Aston Villa, Man City and Arsenal coming up. 

"We've beat Man City and Arsenal already this season so we know we can do it. Obviously they are tough, hard fixtures, but it's on us.

"We've got to give everything, try and dig away and get those last results to really push us over the edge and get the European spot."

Evanilson will be available for Saturday's game, having previously been set to serve a three-match ban. Replays showed he slipped into his challenge on Noussair Mazraoui.

Bournemouth will face an Arsenal side that may have one eye on the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain, who won the first leg 1-0 at the Emirates on Tuesday.

Asked what Mikel Arteta's side could take from that defeat, midfielder Mikel Merino said: "I think what we'll learn is that we are able to dominate any team, anywhere. 

"We proved that we can play against anyone and be the main team on the pitch. It showed us that we are really capable of performing anywhere."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Arsenal – Leandro Trossard 

Trossard has scored four goals in his last four Premier League games, as many as he had in his previous 31. Three of these four strikes have put Arsenal ahead in the match.

It remains unclear what kind of team Arteta will select on Saturday, but the energetic Trossard is likely to get another chance in attack.

Bournemouth – Antoine Semenyo 

Only Liverpool star Mohamed Salah (120) has had more shots than Bournemouth's Semenyo (118) in the Premier League this season. 

However, Semenyo has the fifth-lowest conversion rate of any player to attempt 50 or more shots this term (7.6%).

MATCH PREDICTION – ARSENAL WIN

Each of Arsenal's three Premier League defeats this season have come against teams starting the day in the bottom half of the table, with the Gunners unbeaten in their last 18 against sides in the top 10 (W10 D8). 

Bournemouth will enter Saturday's action 10th in the table, which could be a good omen for the hosts.

Though they are unbeaten in four (W1 D3), Bournemouth have won just one of their last nine Premier League games (D4 L4). This run has seen the Cherries drop from 5th to 10th in the table.

And while Arsenal may have one eye on the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie, they have fared well off the back of European matches recently.

Arsenal have lost just one of their last 35 Premier League games on the weekend immediately following a midweek European match (W24 D10), going down 2-0 at home to Aston Villa in April last year.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Arsenal – 45.6%

Bournemouth – 29%

Draw – 25.4%