Arsenal, fresh from their huge win last weekend, will aim to keep their perfect record in 2024 as they visit relegation-threatened Burnley.
Before the season began, many tactical analysts seemed excited to see what Vincent Kompany would bring to the Premier League with his exciting Burnley side that overperformed in the Championship last season. While the Clarets have surely been an entertaining team, they have much more to do to stay in the top flight.
Last weekend, they faltered against league leaders Liverpool, which extended their winless streak to seven games across all competitions and six in the Premier League. Kompany last oversaw a win against Fulham before Christmas and has not managed to gain any advantage to take his team out of the relegation zone.
With Luton Town performing well and Everton also holding a considerable lead over the Clarets at the foot of the table, Burnley is well behind those two. In fact, Kompany’s side is one of the favourites to return to the Championship unless they start putting in significant results and somehow find a way to challenge the odds and make a late dash to stay safe.
Burnley now faces back-to-back games against a team in the top three, as this time Arsenal come to Turf Moor. Mikel Arteta will feel there’s plenty of momentum with his side, especially the way the Gunners have won the last few games.
Arsenal put six past West Ham at the London Stadium in what was their biggest-ever away win in their Premier League history. Before that, Arteta oversaw a dominant win over Liverpool, as now the Gunners are on a four-game winning run and will aim to maintain their 100% league record in 2024.
The Gunners certainly are in the mix for the title, as they trail league-leaders Liverpool by only two points. For Arteta’s side to make a concerted effort, they must stitch together a massive run between now and May to stand a chance to topple the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City, as one should not underestimate their trip to Turf Moor, which remains a key fixture for them, one they must win.
Team News & Tactics
Burnley
Kompany will make a final decision on his team selection basis of who comes through the final session before the Arsenal clash. For instance, on-loan defender Maxime Esteve came off in the 80th minute against Liverpool, although there are no indication that the problem is anything serious.
Vincent Kompany insists his side must 'make use of their moments' in Saturday's Arsenal encounter 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/agJt9SXm4O
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) February 15, 2024
Hence, the manager will hope to have him against the Gunners, although there are some players destined to miss this clash. Of those are Nathan Redmond, Luca Koleosho and Lyle Foster, with the trio absent for the foreseeable future.
Charlie Taylor is fighting to be fit for the Arsenal clash, although Hannes Delcroix has been deputising for him and might do so at the weekend. Kompany will also assess Jordan Beyer’s thigh injury and hopes to have him on the bench at the very least on Saturday.
Kompany will persist with his 4-4-2 setup, and so far this season, the Belgian hasn’t modified it for any opponent. Tactically, he will want his side to stay compact and not open up too much for the Gunners to exploit, although it will take a monumental performance with perfection to stand a chance to beat or get anything from this clash for the Clarets.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2) – Trafford; Assignon, O’Shea, Esteve, Delcroix; Ramsey, Berge, Brownhill, Odobert; Amdouni, Fofana
Arsenal
Arteta named three of his academy stars on the substitutes bench last weekend, as all eyes will be on whether he keeps them there, considering the few key injuries Arsenal still have. Ethan Nwaneri got a brief cameo to express himself, and the youngster did well, which could earn him a place on the bench again.
Getting set for Saturday 👊 pic.twitter.com/v8mZqCj8A1
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 14, 2024
In terms of injuries, Thomas Partey is still not back, while Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu’s situation remains unclear. Both defenders have minor problems, with the latter returning from the Japan camp with a niggle, as Arteta may not want to risk either at this stage, especially with the Champions League last-16 clash with FC Porto on the horizon.
In any case, Jakub Kiwior has been superb in the last game and a half, as Arteta may keep the Polish defender at left back for the trip to Burnley. Emile Smith-Rowe and Gabriel Jesus are also recovering from ankle and knee troubles, respectively, as there’s no news on whether the duo will be involved.
Kai Havertz might continue to lead the line for the Gunners positionally, with Leandro Trossard likely to swap positions with the German during the game. Arteta might continue to keep Jorginho on the bench, with Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard completing the midfield for Arsenal.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3) – Raya; Ben White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Odegaard, Rice, Trossard; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Key Stats
- Burnley are winless in their last 7 games across all competitions.
- Burnley have scored in each of their last 5 Premier League games, failing to win any of those.
- Arsenal are undefeated in 18 of their last 19 matches against Burnley in all competitions.
- Arsenal have the most clean sheets (9) in the Premier League this season.
- Arsenal have only kept back-to-back clean sheets in the Premier League once in their last 37 Premier League matches.
Player to Watch
Leandro Trossard
Three goals in four games for Leandro Trossard. He was one of the best players on the pitch on Sunday, floating all over the final third to link, create and score. Even if Jesus is fit on Saturday, Leo has earned his starting place against Burnley. #AFCpic.twitter.com/k4xLrVPNcn
— Adam Keys (@adamkeys_) February 13, 2024
With Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice earning plaudits for their performances over the course of the last four wins, Trossard has been the unsung hero for Arsenal. The Belgian had three goals in that period and came to the fore to give Arteta a potent option in the attacking third.
Trossard has visibly improved his game and has become somewhat unpredictable with his movement, which has seen him play as an inside more often rather than hugging the touchline. The focus will be on the more formidable stars in the side, which gives the Belgian enough room to get his work done, as he could play a huge role against Burnley and beyond.
Prediction
Burnley 1-3 Arsenal
The Clarets might continue their scoring form, which has seen them net in their last five games in the league without managing to win either. Kompany sets up his side in a way that they are an attacking threat, although Arsenal are the best defensive side in the division, which could see them face problems opening up the Gunners.
On the other end of the pitch, Burnley has been one of the weakest sides in the division when facing set pieces, while Arsenal is the undisputed leader in that situation. Once again, the Gunners might benefit from corners or free-kicks and in any case, they are in a groove that could see Arteta’s side record another big win on the road.
