Arsenal got their first points of the 2021-22 Premier League season last Saturday when they defeated Norwich City 1-0. The Gunners will face Burnley at Turf Moor this Saturday, which has been a happy hunting ground for Arsenal.
The North London side have not lost at Burnley’s home ground since 2008, when they were beaten 2-0 in a League Cup game.
Mikel Arteta’s side will be expected to get a win as Burnley have been in poor form this season, drawing one game and losing the other three.
Team News
Granit Xhaka will miss Saturday’s game through suspension as he was sent off in Arsenal’s loss to Manchester City.
Mohamed Elneny may also not be ready for the game against Burnley due to hamstring strain, while Rob Holding could face a late fitness test. Holding missed last week’s game due to a knee injury.
Star midfielder Thomas Partey came off the bench against Norwich City, and he is in line to start against the Clarets.
Let’s take a look at the possible Arsenal team for the game against Burnley:
Predicted Arsenal Lineup vs Burnley (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Aaron Ramsdale made his debut for the Gunners last weekend and he could keep his place in the Arsenal lineup ahead of Bernd Leno.
Defence
Arteta could name an unchanged defence from the win against Norwich City. Ben White and Gabriel should start as the two centre-backs, while new signing Takehiro Tomiyasu should keep his right-back slot after an impressive showing on his debut. Kieran Tierney should start at left-back for the Gunners against Burnley.
The likes of Cedric Soares and Nuno Tavares are options at right-back and left-back, respectively, while Calum Chambers is another option at right-back or centre-back. Pablo Mari will provide backup in the centre-back role as well.
Midfield
Last week’s game saw a new midfield pairing of Albert Sambi Lokonga and Ainsley Maitland-Niles. The duo did well, but Arteta will want to bring in a strong and imposing midfielder like Thomas Partey into the midfield. Partey could replace Maitland-Niles in the Arsenal lineup.
Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe will compete for the No. 10 role. Odegaard started last weekend and could get the nod once again.
Attack
Arteta may not make any change to the attack that started against Norwich City. Captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang should lead the line for the Gunners, with Bukayo Saka and Nicolas Pepe starting on the left and right, respectively.
Alexandre Lacazette could be an option off the bench in the striker’s role, while Gabriel Martinelli could fill in on the left and be used as an impact substitute by Mikel Arteta.
Predicted Arsenal Lineup vs Burnley