Arsenal will face Burnley at the Emirates on Saturday and may receive a boost ahead of the match. Both Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac missed last weekend’s victory over Newcastle United. However, the duo may make a comeback against the Clarets.
Arsenal May Receive Boost Ahead of Burnley
Team News
Having fended off a knife-wielding attacker just before the start of the season, neither Mesut Ozil or Sead Kolasinac travelled to St. James’ Park for Arsenal’s first match. Both have now returned to training with the rest of the team.
The clash with Burnley may come too soon for them, however, and fans may only see the two on the bench to start the match. Granit Xhaka, who wore the armband against Newcastle, might also miss out.
The Swiss international sustained bruising to his lower back and leg and is being assessed. Meanwhile, the new signings may receive their first starts of the season.
Nicolas Pepe, Dani Ceballos and Gabriel Martinelli all made substitute appearances against Toon last Sunday. This indicates that all are either ready or near to ready to make a start.
Finally, Rob Holding, Emile Smith Rowe, Hector Bellerin, Kieran Tierney and Dinos Mavropanos are all long-term absentees.
The Opposition
Sean Dyche led Burnley to a relatively disappointing campaign last year. After a seventh-place finish saw them qualify for the early rounds of the Europa League, the Clarets struggled early in the season.
They did recover and find safety in the form of 40 points and a 15th-place finish. To start this season, Burnley beat Southampton by a convincing 3-0 scoreline at Turf Moor.
In recent seasons, Arsenal have gotten the better of Burnley, especially at the Emirates. The Clarets have taken just one point off of the Gunners in the Premier League in ten attempts, and that draw came at Turf Moor.
Prediction
Burnley will surely be a tougher proposition this season compared to last. However, they are generally poor away from home and Unai Emery has a terrific record at home as Arsenal manager.
Therefore, the Gunners should find no difficulty in sweeping aside Burnley.
Predicted: Arsenal 3-1 Burnley
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