Arsenal have had a topsy-turvy season thus far, still sitting mid-table yet seemingly inching closer to a return to form and Burnley, meanwhile, are just one point behind the Gunners in the table but have lost three of their last five.
On Sunday at Turf Moor, the Londoners will hope to take three points en route to a strong end to their season while the hosts will look to create some more separation between themselves and the drop zone.
Burnley v Arsenal Preview
Team News
Arsenal have a number of players out injured but will receive a boost as two return from suspension. Both David Luiz and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are set to return from domestic suspensions after seeing red recently.
The inclusion of the latter will be especially helpful as he is the club’s leading goalscorer. However, Arsenal will miss several other players against Burnley.
Chief among them is Calum Chambers, who suffered a season-ending ligament injury earlier in the month. Kieran Tierney also remains a long-term absentee, although should return to training in March.
Reiss Nelson will also miss the trip to Turf Moor thanks to a right hamstring issue. He should return after the winter break. Sead Kolasinac will also remain out due to a left thigh strain. The club has confirmed he made good progress this week, however, so he’ll hopefully be back soon.
Finally, Shkodran Mustafi sprained his left ankle against Bournemouth in the FA Cup. The defender is being assessed although is doubtful for Sunday’s fixture.
Unlike Arsenal, Burnley have only two players out. Both Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Ashley Barnes will miss Sunday’s match. The Gunners will breathe a sigh of relief at the latter news as Barnes has scored in each of his side’s last three games against Arsenal.
However, Sean Dyche will welcome back Phil Bardsley after he recovered from a back problem.
History to Repeat?
Burnley have a woeful record against Arsenal historically, especially in the top-flight. The Clarets are winless against the Gunners in their last ten league matches and haven’t even held a lead in their last 11 top-flight fixtures.
Burnley are winless in their last 14 league matches against Arsenal dating to a 1-0 win at Highbury all the way back in 1974. Meanwhile, the Gunners have struggled on the road recently.
Mikel Arteta‘s men have won just two of their last 12 away league fixtures. Arsenal have drawn seven and lost three of those games, which is part of the reason they are struggling so far down the table.
History suggests this is their fixture to lose, however, it seems that if there was ever a time that Burnley could beat Arsenal, this is it.
Prediction
Despite the danger lurking at Turf Moor, Arsenal have the quality to beat Burnley. Their form is also slowly improving under Mikel Arteta.
They have beaten Manchester United and recorded a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Chelsea recently. That is despite struggles against the likes of Bournemouth and Sheffield United.
Compared with the club under Unai Emery, Arsenal seem reborn under Mikel Arteta. Look for them to continue their resurgence against Burnley this Sunday.
Predicted score: Burnley 1 Arsenal 2
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