ARSENAL legend Bob Wilson believes Cherries’ philosophy to entertain will keep them in the Premier League.

A double-winner with the Gunners in 1971, Christchurch-based Wilson hailed boss Eddie Howe for sticking to the values which had helped the Dorset club reach the top flight.

Cherries will go in search of their first Premier League victory over Arsenal when the sides lock horns at Vitality Stadium on Sunday (1.30pm).

And although they have taken just one point and conceded 13 times in five Premier League fixtures against Arsene Wenger’s men, former goalkeeper Wilson praised Cherries for retaining their attacking intent.

He told the Daily Echo: “To me, Eddie Howe should be applauded. He has not changed the philosophy which brought them up and has kept them in the Premier League.

“From the time they got promoted, Bournemouth have never gone away from trying to play the sort of entertaining style which is value for money.

“That is Arsene’s great thing. He wants people to go away believing – win, lose or draw – it is value for money. That is his philosophy and I think Eddie has the same philosophy.

“I don’t understand how some people pay what they have to pay for a season ticket at certain clubs, which I’m not going to name, but they are pretty obvious.

“They will put 10 men behind the ball and say: 'we will try to hit somebody on the break'. The game of football is supposed to be a game of entertainment.”

Cherries are 16th in the league table with one win from their past 10 top-flight fixtures.

They sit a point above the drop zone but former Scotland stopper Wilson, 76, believes Howe’s men have the quality to stay up.

“I say they are heading for their fourth season (in the Premier League) and I hope they are because they deserve a reward for playing in the manner they play,” he added.

“I think their football will bring them enough results to stay in it.

“I’ve been at the games that have been at the Emirates. I have sat behind the Bournemouth chairman a couple of times and said: ‘your side is one hell of a good side’.

“They may have lost but they have given Arsenal really hard games and played their own game.”

Wilson added: “They have cut their cloth accordingly. I thought it was great that Jermain Defoe chose to come to Bournemouth.

“Why did Jack Wilshere come to play for Bournemouth? It’s a lovely coastline and a beautiful place to live but he came because of Eddie Howe and the way in which the team play football.”

Arsenal came from three goals down to seal a 3-3 draw against Cherries last time the teams met at Vitality Stadium. A stoppage-time goal from Frenchman Olivier Giroud denied the hosts a memorable victory.