Arsenal will want to start a new unbeaten run in the Premier League when they host a struggling Burnley side desperate for points on board.
Arsenal, who face Burnley this weekend, ended last weekend with a loss to Newcastle United that also ended their unbeaten start to the Premier League season. Refereeing decisions took centre stage at St. James’ Park after Stuart Atwell and the VAR adjudged awarding a controversial Anthony Gordon goal as the correct decision.
Mikel Arteta had a fiery press conference afterwards, openly criticising the officials and their decision-making. His comments caused plenty of controversy, with many criticising the Arsenal boss for his choice of words. But later on, the club released a statement backing their manager.
Champions League highlights are here 🙌
🍿 Watch all of the best moments from our win over Sevilla 👇 pic.twitter.com/TIYEQAMaVm
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 10, 2023
Arteta seemed unfazed by those criticisms as he led his Arsenal side to a midweek Champions League win over Sevilla. The three points took the Gunners closer to qualifying for the next round, which they should confirm after their home clash against Lens after the international break. For now, the Spaniard will want his side to switch their attention towards Burnley and get a win under their belt.
Vincent Kompany has come under tremendous pressure and even criticised for not adapting a new method in how Burnley plays. Last weekend, veteran boss Roy Hodgson got the better of another youthful managerial counterpart in the Belgian, as Crystal Palace exploited the Clarets’ mistakes at the back.
Twice Burnley lost the ball near their goal, and twice they were punished, as goals from Jeffrey Schlupp and Tyrick Mitchell condemned the Clarets to a ninth loss from eleven games this season. The defeat also meant Burnley became the first-ever Premier League side to lose their six opening home games of a campaign.
Their record away from home has been slightly better than their home form, with the win over Luton Town the only one Kompany can show for his hard work. Burnley’s four points have come on the road, as they also drew against Nottingham Forest in September.
With the pressure mounting on Kompany, he will want his side to turn the corner and get a big win under their belts. To boost their confidence, the Clarets have come away without a defeat during their last two visits to the Emirates. But things have changed since that previous clash, as the Gunners will be the favourites here on Saturday.
Team News & Tactics
Arsenal
Reports suggest Thomas Partey could miss the remainder of 2023, as he visited a specialist to get rid of persistent muscle injuries. The international break might have come at a good time for Arsenal, as Mikel Arteta might find some reprieve from rising injury troubles.
Tonight's goalscorers 🤩 pic.twitter.com/6d8tQr21LI
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 8, 2023
Emile Smith Rowe, Gabriel Jesus and Jurrien Timber are certain absentees, while there are doubts about Eddie Nketiah, Martin Odegaard and Takehiro Tomiyasu. The latter reportedly ‘felt something’ during the midweek clash with Sevilla. Arteta might rest him as a precaution and assess his situation before allowing him to join the Japanese squad for the break.
As for Odegaard, he has missed three of the last four games in all competitions while only making a brief cameo against West Ham United last week. There were some concerns with Bukayo Saka at the end of the Sevilla game. But Arteta insisted it was only a painful kick the winger suffered from, which will keep him in contention against Burnley.
Apart from Oleksandr Zinchenko replacing Tomiyasu at left-back, Arsenal are unlikely to make any changes from midweek. Kai Havertz will join Declan Rice and Jorginho in that midfield setup, while Leandro Trossard will lead the line for the Gunners in back-to-back games.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Ben White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Havertz, Jorginho, Rice; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
Burnley
Burnley are without at least four key players ahead of the trip to the Emirates. Vincent Kompany revealed Lyle Foster had mental health issues, which could see him being absent from the squad for an unspecified period. Others like Hjalmar Ekdal, Benson Manuel and Michael Obafemi are all absent with fitness issues.
Vinny talks about winning and his time as a manager as he looks ahead to taking on Arsenal 📽️ pic.twitter.com/nXGD6stFly
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) November 10, 2023
Kompany will have key midfielder Josh Cullen back in the squad after serving a one-match suspension, and he will slot straight into the starting lineup. He will have Josh Brownhill by his side, with Mike Tresor and Luka Koleosho taking up the wide areas in a 4-4-2.
At the back, Kompany will keep trusting his central defenders Jordan Beyer and Dara O’Shea to keep a tight line, while Vitinho and Charlie Taylor will feature in those full-back positions.
In the attack, Kompany might keep faith in Jay Rodriguez’s experience to bring in the goals. But the striker is running the risk of dropping down to the bench with another ineffective performance. He will have Zeki Amdouni for a company as the duo will aim to hurt an otherwise stellar Arsenal backline.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Trafford; Vitinho, Beyer, O’Shea, Taylor; Tresor, Cullen, Brownhill, Koleosho; Rodriguez, Amdouni
Key Stats
- Burnley have lost six of their last seven matches in the Premier League.
- After losing their six opening home games this term, Burnley set the record for the worst start to a Premier League season in that regard.
- Arsenal are undefeated in 17 of their last 18 matches against Burnley in all competitions.
- Arsenal are winless in their last two games against Burnley at the Emirates.
- Arsenal have lost none of their last 37 games at home against newly-promoted sides in the Premier League.
Player to Watch
Bukayo Saka
A goal and an assist for UEFA's POTM, Bukayo Saka ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/ORjWkbVJj4
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 8, 2023
Arsenal fans were concerned when Saka went down late in the game against Sevilla. They were equally relieved hearing Mikel Arteta say it was nothing and probably only a painful kick. The scenario epitomised the winger’s season so far, as he has suffered from some problems of late.
Fans would love to see Saka have a concerted run and perform in top performances, which he did against Sevilla in midweek. It is time for the winger to shine against teams like Burnley and improve his form before representing England during the next break.
Prediction
Arsenal 3-0 Burnley
Vincent Kompany refuses to play another football style that might bring positive results as he remains keen to develop his team’s style as the season progresses. As his side continues to suffer as a consequence, there is no sight of an upcoming change, which will see the Clarets play an open game.
The most recent example of a team coming to the Emirates and playing that way was PSV EIndhiven, whom Arsenal thrashed in their Champions League opener. Expect another performance from the Gunners, who, despite missing key personnel, will have the upper hand over the Clarets, especially in North London.
