Arsenal vs Burnley | Teams News and Predicted Lineup for the Gunners

Following a painful elimination from the Carabao Cup against Liverpool, Mikel Arteta’s men return to action in the Premier League. Arsenal host bottom feeders Burnley at the Emirates. Sean Dyche’s men have not had a game since the FA Cup elimination against Huddersfield on the 8th of January.

The visitors will be without a host of key players. Johann Berg Gudmundsson, Nathan Collins, Dwight McNeil, Charlie Taylor, Erik Pieters and Matej Vydra are all believed to be affected by COVID. Injuries to Connor Roberts and Ashley Barnes, Maxwel Cornet on AFCON duty and Chris Wood’s departure leaves Dyche with an impoverished squad.

However, the Clarets are never easy opponents, and Mikel Arteta has his own set of problems in player availability. Callum Chambers, Cedric Soares, Aubameyang and Bernd Leno miss out with injuries. Midfield duo Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey are both suspended. Mohamed Elneny and Nicolas Pepe have commitments with the national team.

With Arsenal dropping behind Tottenham Hotspurs, West Ham and Manchester United in the Premier League table, the Gunners will be aiming for nothing less than three points against Burnley. A win would see the hosts lodge Man United off fourth place on goal difference and a game in hand. Here are the players Arteta could require to suit up for the tricky clash:

Aaron Ramsdale (GK):

Ramsdale would not look back to the game against Liverpool too fondly. The Englishman was beaten far too easily by Jota’s effort, to give the Reds a lead against the run of play. Ramsdale has been crucial for Arsenal this season and will be looking to forget the Cup disappointment with a strong showing against Burnley today.

Takehiro Tomiyasu (RB):

Tomiyasu returned to the line-up against Liverpool. The Japanese defender appeared short of match fitness and struggled against Pool’s pacey forwards. With backup options Cedric and Chambers ruled out, Tomiyasu will most likely start again. Arteta also has the option to play Ben White at right-back.

Ben White (RCB):

White was tested against Liverpool’s high and intense press. The ex-Brighton defender largely held his own in the game. While White was unable to locate easy passing options in build-ups, his defensive performance was solid. Against a more compact Burnley, White will be offered more time and space to pick out long passes like he often has this season.

Gabriel Magalhaes (LCB):

Like White, Liverpool’s forwards made it difficult for Gabriel on the ball. Against Burnley, the Brazilian will be able to assert himself higher up the field against lesser pressure.

Kieran Tierney (LB):

Tierney was one of Arsenal’s more successful players in the Cup game. The Scottish full-back combined well with Martinelli to cause Liverpool problems down the left flank. In his current form, Tierney remains undroppable for Arteta.

Albert Sambi Lokonga (CDM):

Given the absence of the senior defensive midfielders, Lokonga is all but guaranteed to start against the Clarets. The Belgian seemed to struggle against Liverpool without a holding midfield partner. Arteta seems hesitant to rush Salah Oulad M’Hand or Patino into the mix of things just yet, so Lokonga will have to play as a lone pivot yet again.

Martin Odegaard (RCM):

Short of midfield options, Arteta deployed Odegaard in a deeper role against Liverpool, and it paid dividends. Odegaard was one of Arsenal’s brightest positives in the defeat and was involved all over the field. He constantly dropped deeper to pick the ball up between the lines to beat Liverpool’s press. The last time Arsenal faced Burnley, the Norwegian scored the winning goal and would be licking his lips in anticipation of this game.

Martin Odegaard, Arsenal vs Burnley — Image Obtained Via: MARCA

Emile Smith Rowe (LCM):

Smith Rowe has had limited game-time with Martinelli’s resurgence and Odegaard hitting a purple patch. The Englishman looked rusty in possession and was arguably Arsenal’s weak link in the left channel. ESR was in imperious form earlier this season before being sidelined by an injury. The 21-year-old remains Arsenal’s top goal-scorer in the Premier League this season and will hope to regain rhythm with regular minutes.

Bukayo Saka (RW):

With Tomiyasu struggling and Odegaard playing noticeably deeper, Saka cut an isolated figure against Liverpool. Klopp marked the youngster as Arsenal’s most potent threat and had his defence specifically mark out the 20-year-old from the game. Saka has 6 Premier League goals this season and will be hoping to shrug off the tough game and land on his feet against the league’s bottom side.

Alexandre Lacazette (CF):

Worked very hard against Liverpool but had little to show for it. Lacazette often found himself isolated in the middle and drifted right to find space. The Frenchman cut a frustrated figure and will hope to make up for it with a bright performance on Saturday. His movement will be key in unlocking a stubborn and dogged defensive set-up that Burnley will present.

Alexandre Lacazette, Arsenal, Burnley — Image obtained via footballespana.net

Gabriel Martinelli (LW):

Martinelli wreaked havoc against Matip and Alexander-Arnold in the first half of the Cup tie. The Brazilian was immense on the ball and a machine in defence too. Klopp marked him out of the game in the second half to effectively kill off Arsenal’s attacking threat. A very bright performance that the winger will be looking to build on, and hopefully cap off with a goal to his name.

Given Arsenal’s precarious situation, Arteta is left with little room for changes or rotation. The Spaniard, rightfully, seems hesitant to rush youngsters from the U-23 side into the line-up. Arsenal are most likely to line up exactly how they did 3 days ago, with the hope of putting in a positive display against Burnley and reclaiming 4th place.

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