Arsenal fan Siriki Dembele relishing reunion with 'top guy' Ben White

The 25-year-old has been an unused substitute in each of Cherries' opening two top-flight matches this season, but could get a chance on Saturday.

Scott Parker's men host Arsenal at Vitality Stadium (5.30pm), the Gunners currently sitting second in the embryonic league standings, following two wins from two.

For Dembele, who moved to London as a child having been born in Ivory Coast, a clash with Mikel Arteta's Gunners is the game he has had his eyes on.

"I think that’s the one I’m probably looking forward to the most, obviously because myself and my dad are Arsenal fans," Dembele told the Daily Echo, when discussing Cherries' early Premier League fixtures.

Asked if his dad will have split loyalties come Saturday, Dembele added: "He’ll be supporting me, for sure!"

Should Dembele make it onto the pitch, he is likely to come up against a familiar face.

Poole-born Ben White has, like Dembele, enjoyed a rapid rise up through the leagues.

Although contracted to Brighton & Hove Albion, the defender spent three loan spells away, before getting his break in the Premier League in 2020.

White spent a season at Newport County in League Two, before becoming teammates with Dembele at Peterborough United in League One the following season.

A stay at Championship Leeds United followed, where he helped them clinch promotion, before White established himself at Brighton and then moved on to Arsenal for £50million in the summer of 2021.

The 24-year-old has since also become an England international and started the Gunners' first two games of this season at right-back.

"Ben’s a great guy," said Dembele.

"I remember playing against him as well when he was at Newport and I was at Grimsby.

"And he came to Peterborough after that and he’s a top guy and he’s a good player in training as well."

Asked if he used to get the better of White in training with Posh, Dembele said: "I’d say so. He’s a good defender, but I’d say so!"