Premier League

PREVIEW: Burnley vs Arsenal

By Utsav Mehta

Posted on November 24, 2017

The stakes are high when Arsene Wenger faces a tricky fixture against ‘in-form’ Sean Dyche’s Burnley. Surprisingly The Clarets are performing excellent this season, with their points levelled with Arsenal and Liverpool and only placed seventh on goal difference.

This fixture is going to be difficult than expected for the visitors, looking at Burnley’s record against ‘big six’ of Premier League- comfortable win against Chelsea at opening day of the season followed by draw against Tottenham and Liverpool. They were defeated by Manchester City but still looking at this record Arsene Wenger will have to scratch his head to secure three points against Burnley.

Arsenal come quite confident into the fixture with a win over Tottenham proclaiming that North London is still Red. Yet, loss at FC Cologne midweek is still a bit of concern – but it does not really matter as second team was filed away in Germany.

When and Where?

Turf Moor hosts the fixture as Arsenal visits Burnley on Sunday at 7:30 PM IST.

Team News:

With shoulder dislocation of Tom Heaton, youngster Nick Pope will start in goal for the hosts. Jonathan Walter and Dean Marney will serve their extended stay in injury list.Other than that, the Lancashire based club face no injury concerns as Sean Dyche will have whole squad available.

For Arsene Wenger, Theo Walcott is doubtful to make it by Sunday and Santiago Cazorla remains sidelined.

Eyebrows were raised with substitution of Danny Welbeck at the half time mark, but Arsene Wenger has made it clear that he is in good shape and will be available. It looks like Olivier Giroud has shrugged off the injury he suffered playing for France with starting in Arsenal’s defeat against FC Cologne.

Key Players:

Shkodran Mustafi: Mustafi is someone who can make difference in the air, be it with set pieces in opponents penalty area or making those important interceptions in defensive aspects of the game. The German international comes into the fixture with a superb display against Tottenham Hotspurs not only scoring that important goal but also denying Spurs brilliant attacks from time to time. He will play an important part to deny the likes of …… giving Arsenal chance to go all the way.

Stephen Ward: The Irish defender has been essential to Burnley’s form this season. He is constantly charging in the attack as as well as stands tall like a wall when defends. With likes of Hector Bellerin and Mesut Ozil running down the right side, he will have a task to keep up to pace as well as intelligence.