Dominic Solanke is in excellent form for Bournemouth.

The striker has been one of the Cherries' leading performers this season, helping his team recover from a difficult start to surge up the Premier League table.

At 26, the former Liverpool frontman appears to be in his prime and is becoming one of the top flight's most reliable goalscorers.

Ahead of Bournemouth's clash with Tottenham, we assess whether a rumoured January move to Arsenal could be on the cards for Solanke.

Dom-inating defenders

Solanke has scored 12 goals in 18 league appearances so far this season — already his best return in the division.

He netted six last term and three in 2019-20 having struggled for consistency at the highest level.

But Andoni Iraola has got the best out of Solanke, as highlighted by his influential performance and goal in Bournemouth's 3-0 win at Old Trafford earlier this month and recent hat-trick against Nottingham Forest.

Speaking after the United match, the Cherries boss said: "Dom has been really good for us since the beginning of the season.

"He is doing all the good things, on the ball, off the ball.

"I think he helps his team-mates a lot. Even if he doesn't score, he is giving us a lot of things."

Solanke not finding the net is becoming more of a rarity now, with his recent flurry of goals helping Bournemouth move clear of the relegation zone.

Arsenal attention

Interest in Solanke from other Premier League clubs is unsurprising given his form, which shows no sign of being unsustainable.

According to reports, Arsenal could target the former Chelsea youngster instead of pursuing Brentford striker Ivan Toney, who has not played since the end of 2022-23.

Along with Ollie Watkins and Callum Wilson, Solanke has established himself as one of a small number of reliable English No9s in the top tier.

And in a Gunners team that regularly creates chances, he could be the clinical finisher Mikel Arteta's side needs.

Bournemouth, of course, will hope to keep hold of their star player beyond the January transfer window.

Reacting to the possibility of a move, Iraola said: "It's very good that he [Solanke] receives some recognition because he deserves it.

"I think he is very happy here. He has shown it by renewing his contract not so long ago [in September]."

Lessons learned

Even if Solanke is content at Bournemouth, a move to Arsenal would be tempting.

The promise of a title race and Champions League football — just a few months before Gareth Southgate names his England squad for the upcoming European Championship — would attract even the most loyal of players.

It would also be another opportunity for Solanke to prove himself at a top Premier League club after he struggled to establish himself at Liverpool between 2017 and 2019.

Reds legend John Barnes said: "He [Solanke] has shown now that he can be the main man.

"The pressure of having to do that at Liverpool and Chelsea at that young age was probably too much for him.

"Now that he's settled, he can be a very good Premier League player in a team that's surviving in the league, he's playing with confidence and showing what he can do."

Ahead of their trip to Tottenham, Bournemouth will hope they can ward off any interest and continue to benefit from Solanke's goals for the foreseeable future.