Marcus Tavernier hails Bournemouth's evolution under Andoni Iraola ahead of visit to Premier League leaders Arsenal

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Marcus Tavernier has hailed the impact of Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola, with the club pushing for a place in Europe for the first time. The midfielder has thrived under the Spaniard, and he credits his manager's high-intensity style for the team's success. The Cherries face Premier League leaders Arsenal on Saturday as they enter the final stretch of the season.

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Marcus Tavernier has his sights set on pushing Bournemouth to ”new levels” as the club prepare for the run-in, starting with a daunting clash against Premier League leaders Arsenal on Saturday, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

The 27-year-old has been an instrumental cog in the Bournemouth side and is enjoying his joint-best goalscoring season in the Premier League with five goals, aiding the club’s push for Europe.

Last season, The Cherries achieved a club-record 56 points in the top tier. Ahead of this weekend’s match at the Emirates, Andoni Iraola’s side are on 42 points, just four adrift of a top-seven spot and a potential first European qualification.

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”Last season we reached a new points record and this season we want to do the same again to push the club to new levels,” Tavernier told TNT Sports in an exclusive interview.

Having recently committed his future to the club with a new four-year deal, Tavernier admits it was never a difficult decision to extend his stay on the south coast.

”I’m really enjoying it," he said. "It was an easy decision for me to make to sign a new deal here. I have to give my thanks to the club for showing their faith in me ever since I’ve joined.

”I feel at home ever since I’ve been here and I’ve really enjoyed my time."

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A big factor behind Bournemouth’s progress has been the impact of head coach Iraola, whose high-intensity style has transformed the team.

”You can see from when I first joined, we weren’t as exciting as we are now,” he said.

”We continue with the same format of pressing high and trying to excite the fans against any team we play against, to create as many opportunities as possible. As a forward player, it’s really fun to be involved with. It is demanding, but you get a lot of rewards when you play well.

”I think if you asked any other team that have played us, they don’t like it because they know what type of game they’re getting. It’s very physical and demanding.”

While the transition under Iraola took time, Tavernier believes the squad quickly adapted to the manager’s ideas.

”When the manager first came in, we probably didn’t quite understand it, but as soon as we did everyone started to see us as a different type of team, and we’ve come a long way since then,” he said.

Tavernier has been a key part of that evolution, featuring in a number of roles across the pitch.

”I feel like he’s put a lot of trust in me," Tavernier said. "I’ve played a lot of games under him and he’s showed his faith in me and I’ve got to thank him for that.

"He’s played me in numerous positions, which shows you his trust. I know I’m a versatile player and I’m continuing to grow in each individual position.

”My favourite position is when I’m on the pitch. I’ve had good games playing out wide and down the middle.”

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Despite his influence, Tavernier is determined to add more goals to his game.

”Getting the numbers everyone talks and bangs on about is probably something that’s lacked a lot in my game," he conceded.

”This season I feel like I’ve had to shoot a lot more and taking the opportunity when it comes. I still feel like I haven’t done that enough and have to improve in that area so it’s something I will continue to focus on going forward.

”He [Iraola] encourages the whole team to end things with a shot or a cross in the final third, to try and score, and that’s what we try to do. There are a lot of players in the team who are taking that on and putting it on the pitch.”

For Tavernier, personal targets have taken a back seat as he focuses on enjoying his football.

”In the previous years a target is something that I’ve looked at but this season I’m just enjoying my football and hopefully goals will follow," he said.

That enjoyment reflects what he describes as a "really exciting" period in his career.

”This and the past few seasons have been really exciting," Tavernier said. "We’ve done well in the league but we always want to continue to push to be a better team and to build this club to new levels. We’ve continued to do that this season and hopefully we can achieve good things.”

With talk of European qualification growing, Tavernier acknowledges the challenge but insists the squad remain grounded.

”I think there have always been noises about getting to Europe and as a player that’s what you want to try to achieve," he said. "You know it’s going to be tough playing in a league with all the best players in the world. You have to be at it every week and be at your best to make things happen, to even come away with a point sometimes.

”I feel like we’ve got to concentrate on a game at a time. I know it’s a cliché, but you really can't look too far ahead or dwell on the past."

Attention now turns to the final weeks of the campaign, with seven league games remaining, beginning with the visit of Arsenal.

”We have had a nice little break after the international break and this is now the final push. This is when your season is completely decided ultimately," he said.

"We have to start with a strong performance against the league leaders. It's going to be a very tough test but we know what we’re capable of and what we can bring on the day.

”We will have that little bit more freshness in the legs than they do, but I don’t think that will come into it too much because they’ve got so much to play for as well as us. We want to finish the season strong and achieve new things.”

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