Premier League
Arsenal vs Burnley Preview
- Date: Dec. 12, 2018
- Time: 7:30 a.m. (est)
- Network: NBCSN
- Location: London, England
- Venue: Emirates Stadium
- Seating Capacity: 60,260
An away trip to the Emirates to start the holiday period is not ideal for Burnley. There is no nice way to say it: Sean Dyche’s side have been horrific this season. They have only won once in their last 10 matches. Burnley have already suffered defeat 11 times this season. If they lose this weekend at the Emirates, they will match their total from last season with less than half the season played.
Trouble for Arsenal
Arsenal went 22 games unbeaten in all competitions before losing to Southampton last weekend. To make matters worse, they lost a North London Derby in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday to make it 2 in a row. Saturday’s match is a must-win at a tough time in the season. Three losses in a row heading into the Christmas period will be quite damaging to confidence and morale.
The drama around the club certainly has not helped. The club’s highest paid player, Mesut Ozil, has missed quite a lot of time already this season. Most recently he was left out of the squad for the derby due to “tactical reasons.” The club and the manager must sort this mess out before it gets any worse. It seems as if the relationship between the player and manager has grown toxic.
Head to Head
Burnley have yet to beat Arsenal in the Premier League Era having met eight times. The Gunners have come away with seven victories while one match ended in a draw. Arsenal have late winners to thank in three of last four as well. Controversial handball goals and late penalties have been frustrating for the supporters of Burnley who feel they should have picked up more points against Arsenal recently.
Team News
Burnley are without Aaron Lennon and Steven Defour. Robbie Brady will need to pass a fitness test to make it in the squad. The return of winger Johann Berg Gudmundsson is expected after he missed last weekend’s match vs Tottenham.
Arsenal are without Shkodran Mustafi, Rob Holding, Hector Bellerin, and Konstantinos Mavropanos in defense. Expect a center back partnership of Sokratis and Laurent Koscielny, with Nacho Monreal and Stephan Lichtsteiner at full back. It will be interesting to see whether or not Mesut Ozil makes the starting XI, but he is expected to be in the matchday squad.
Prediction
Burnley’s form does not offer any glimpses of hope heading into this one. They sit in 17th place and have looked very bad this season. It almost seems unlucky for them to face Arsenal after a few bad matches for the hosts. Arsenal know they must put in a good performance in this one to right the ship. Burnley has been bad in defense and that will continue on Saturday. I expect Arsenal to win this match 3-1. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette will be too much for the Clarets to handle. Arsenal’s makeshift back four will most likely allow a goal considering their first choice back line usually concedes as well.
Photo credit to James Anderson via Flickr
