Mikel Arteta is poised to name an unchanged lineup against Burnley due to the unavailability of key players and a lack of alternate options.
Mikel Arteta will hope to end a torrid January with a win at the Emirates against Burnley and halt a winless run stretching to four games. The primary objective for Arsenal is to get back on track in their chase for a top-four finish, having slipped down a few places with their rivals playing their rescheduled games.
Arsenal could go level on points with Manchester United and ahead of them on goal difference, while also hoping for a slip up from Tottenham when they play Chelsea. The Gunners will also have a game in hand over the Red Devils, giving Arteta the chance to take his team into the international break in an optimistic mood.
In terms of team news, there are plenty of injury and suspension-enforced absentees. There is a major issue at right-back as Calum Chambers and Cedric Soares were ruled out for the midweek Carabao Cup tie against Liverpool, forcing a visibly unfit Takehiro Tomiyasu to play from the start. There is hope that the Japanese international could gain some match-fitness ahead of the Burnley clash as he is certain to start.
Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes and Kieran Tierney will complete the backline for Arsenal, as Arteta will feel that three days might have been enough for the trio to recuperate from their midweek excursions. In goal, Aaron Ramsdale is the only viable candidate to start with backup stopper Bernd Leno injured.
Arsenal vs Burnley Preview: Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats
Despite those problems, Arteta remains focused on the game at hand. During his pre-match press conference, the Arsenal boss looked forward to a response from his team after the defeat to Liverpool.
Arteta said, “For us, it’s a massive game after the defeat and disappointment, and we want to get back on track quickly. I expect a competitive team that has shown that it is always a difficult game.”
“I will show [my players] what we’ve done against Liverpool and the manner of the result as well because we’ve done a lot of good things. It was not enough to win the tie over two games against them and this is the level that I will have to look for.”
Arteta will line his team up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Albert Sambi Lokonga sitting at the base, while Emile Smith Rowe and Martin Odegaard will play on either side of the Belgian. It shows how thin the Arsenal midfield is currently, with the next reliable option being teenager Charlie Patino, who the manager might not use.
In attack, the front three will likely have Alexandre Lacazette leading the line, although Arteta has the option of giving Eddie Nketiah a chance. The Frenchman will be preferred for his leadership and overall experience. Bukayo Saka will start on the right flank, hoping to regain some form and sharpness against Burnley, with Gabriel Martinelli firmly stationed on the left-hand side.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney; Odegaard, Lokonga, Smith Rowe; Saka, Lacazette, Martinelli
