Arsenal looks to sign off in style against Burnley this afternoon before the international break.
On paper, this fixture seems the perfect match-up for an Arsenal team beset by injuries to key players. The Clarets have lost nine of their opening 11 league fixtures this season, and despite playing a more expansive style under manager Vincent Kompany, look destined already for a long relegation scrap.
Team News
Arsenal
Out: Timber, Smith Rowe (both knee), Partey (muscle), Jesus (hamstring).
Tests: Saka, Nketiah (both ankle), Odegaard (hip).
Mikel Arteta’s options are heavily restricted this weekend, with a few last-minute decisions pending. Potential choices surround playing Takehiro Tomiyasu or Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back and Kai Havertz or Fabio Vieira behind the forwards.
Tomiyasu may not be risked as a starter after he withdrew with a knock at half-time on Wednesday. Kai Havertz might fancy his chances against a team he scored a brace against last year while playing for former club Chelsea.
Burnley
Out: Obafemi (hamstring), Foster (illness), Benson (ankle), Ramsey, (knock).
Burnley are without top scorer Lyle Foster, but experienced midfielder Josh Cullen is back from a ban.
Predicted XI
Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Rice, Havertz, Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
Match prediction
Arsenal 3 – 0 Burnley
What are the managers saying?
Mikel Arteta
On recent performances of Kai Havertz:
“I can tell you that I’m really pleased with the way he’s performing. Obviously, looking at the numbers, just specifically the numbers of what he’s producing in front of goal, those have to be improved, and we have to improve them, but in many other areas of the pitch, what he gives to the team at the moment is really important.”
Vincent Kompany
On the prospect of facing Arsenal:
“A very complete team; you talk about habits and standards, and you can see the journey they’ve been on. Just a very robust squad in every way: strong physically, good technically, [and] speed in the right areas.
“A team that’s well coached and belongs where they are at the moment: the top of elite English football.”
How to watch
Join AFTV for the watch along. Kick-off is 3 pm.
Link below
Notes: Arsenal vs Burnley
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored eight Premier League goals against The Clarets in his short Arsenal career, averaging one goal per game.
- During Burnley’s top-flight heyday in the late 1950s/early 1960s, the club enjoyed a five-match winning streak over Arsenal, scoring 18 goals.
- Seventy years ago, a 1-0 Arsenal win over Burnley at Highbury in the final game of the 1952/53 season secured the Gunners a then-record seventh League Championship triumph.
