I’m not about to take the Burnley vs Arsenal game for granted and neither should you because they can rob you blind if you take your foot off the gas. Arsenal have dominated them in every way possible in the past and have completely outplayed them in every respect. However, the Gunners did lose the reverse fixture in December, which was their first defeat against the Clarets in 12 years and their first-ever in the Premier League.
Sean Dyche’s side can be resistant to pressure, soaking it up all day long only to deliver the cruelest sucker punch against the run of play and you know he is well versed in how to beat Arsenal. Forget tactics to a degree, Burnley play an intense game of cat and mouse that requires gargantuan effort from every man on the books.
They’ll be physical if there’s a need and they’ll grind down any side by frustrating and smothering them. Burnley will certainly aim to decrease the space and limit the time on the ball and that’s always been a decent recipe to defeat Arsenal.
The Leicester result will have been pointless if Arsenal capitulate to Burnley, they need to win against this type of opposition but don’t for one minute think it will be easy against a struggling side desperate for points and the security of Premier League status.
I thought Arteta would play his strongest 11 against the Foxes, but he rested key players which facilitated two excellent performances from Pepe and Willian. Let’s also note the strong contribution of Mari and Luiz in defence, keeping the doors bolted, almost. It’s safe to assume that although Pepe and Willian did well, one of the pair will be benched in the Burnley vs Arsenal game for the inevitable return of Bukayo Saka who could well deliver the killer moment for Mikel Arteta.
The key for Arsenal is to beat Burnley at their own game, by being compact, keeping possession, and getting forward quickly in numbers to press hard on a vulnerable defence. Burnley can’t buy a goal with the second-worst goal tally in the Premier League and they’ve so far conceded 34, normally against pacy opposition.
That’s all good from an Arsenal point of view but the Gunners problem has been in taking chances when they present themselves and there’s no room here for fluffy footwork. Arsenal will have to form a tight line between the middle and defence, clamping down immediately on Burnley’s movement and then breezing up the pitch with ruthless efficiency.
Xhaka could be key with whoever partners him in the engine room, which could be Ceballos or Partey (if fit). There’s no sense in playing Partey if he’s short and filling holes with partially fit players even with his quality, is an entirely risky affair. He did ok on his return but that won’t cut the mustard in the Burnley vs Arsenal fixture.
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Arsenal have to employ the same mentality against an organised Dyche side smarting from a recent heavy loss and be vigilant as moves breakdown. Odegaard could play another big part as he continues on his Arsenal journey and it may just take one killer pass to open the flood gates.
If Burnley go behind early, expect a few goals because despite what anyone says they’re confident will be low at present. Arsenal just need to cash in on those insecurities.
Preferred Side: Leno; Bellerin, Luiz, Mari, Tierney; Xhaka, Partey, Odegaard; Saka, Aubameyang, Pepe
Predicted Score: 3-0 Arsenal win
