Can history prevail or will the goalscorers fail? What to look out for when Arsenal host Burnley

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Can history prevail or will the goalscorers fail? What to look out for when Arsenal host Burnley in the Premier League

By Peter White

Despite having only played 11 games in the 2020/21 Premier League season, it is hard to argue that Arsenal’s home clash against Burnley on Sunday evening is anything other than a must-win match. 

Following a dismal 2-0 defeat at bitter rivals Spurs last weekend, a match-up against Sean Dyche’s Clarets represents an opportunity to rescue a so-far woeful campaign, in which the Gunners have taken just one point from the last 12 on offer. 

Three home defeats on the spin have contributed to a 15th-place position in the table, and Arsenal are dearly hoping to avoid a fourth for the first time since December 1959 - a run which incidentally included going down to Burnley. 

But the Turf Moor outfit are one of the five clubs currently below Mikel Arteta’s charges in the standings, and the Spaniard will hope the momentum gained by a 4-2 win at Dundalk in the Europa League in midweek can carry them to victory back on the domestic front. 

While plunged towards the depths of the league table, Arsenal remain just eight points off the top four and a fifth win of the season could play a big role in maintaining their bid for a European place with a hectic festive schedule to come. 

A win would also go some way towards relieving the mounting pressure on Arsenal’s young boss, and so with plenty riding on the occasion we’ve picked out what to look forward to at the Emirates.

Arteta to ring the changes

In the wake of Arsenal’s disappointment in the North London Derby, Arteta let the kids loose in County Louth and was duly rewarded with their sixth straight win in the Europa League that secured them top spot in Group B. 

Calum Chambers, Cedric Soares and Shkodran Mustafi were handed rare chances to shine among 11 changes, while Eddie Nketiah, Joe Willock and 19-year-old Folarin Balogun all notched goals for the Gunners to strengthen their claims for regular starting berths. 

Despite victory however it is unlikely that many of Arsenal’s midweek magicians will be granted a spot in this weekend’s starting XI, though the absence of Thomas Partey (injury) and Nicolas Pepe (suspension) could present an opportunity for one or two fringe stars. 

Skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is expected to return to the fold having failed to score from open play since the opening weekend, but the Gabon international traditionally enjoys playing against Burnley, having netted in all three of his appearances against the Clarets at the Emirates (5 goals).

One goal could be the difference 

Despite boasting 20 goals scored in six Europa League matches this season, Arsenal have so-far failed to replicate that free-scoring trend in the Premier League. 

Indeed, putting the ball into the back of the net has been among the biggest issues for the North Londoners this term, with only the bottom three sides - including Burnley - netting fewer than Arsenal's ten goals.

Mikel Arteta

While the likes of Aubameyang will look to find their scoring boots on home turf, they must do so against a defence ranked the fifth best in the division according to ‘expected goals against’ data. 

But while the Burnley backline are expected to provide a stern test, Arsenal have conceded less goals than all but four Premier League teams, suggesting a goal for either side could go a long way towards determining the game’s final score.

History books point in Arsenal's favour

If Arsenal were to pick a preferred fixture to kick-start their season in light of what has been a tricky run, it might well be against Burnley - a side who have lost all six of their away Premier League meetings with the Gunners. 

Indeed, Arteta’s men have won each of their last nine home clashes against the Clarets in all competitions, and are only on longer current winning runs at home against Stoke (16) and Barnsley (10). 

Including away games, Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 15 league meetings against Burnley - having won 11 and drawn four - since a 1-0 home loss in September 1974. 

While Dyche and his charges will be desperate to put that run right - and subsequently boost their hopes of avoiding the drop - Arsenal will be confident of ending their own poor run at the Emirates with a much-needed win.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Popular posts from this blog

What have we learned from Arsenal's pre-season so far?

Image
  Arsenal – what have we learned from pre-season? By Jack Lacey-Hatton It only feels five minutes since Euro 2020, but incredibly we are just one week away from the new Premier League season starting. Arsenal will travel to newly promoted Brentford for a London derby in front of a noisy crowd next Friday night, not the easiest of starts to the new campaign. But what sort of shape are Mikel Arteta’s side in, going into what could be a defining season for the manager? We took a close look at what we have learnt from the pre-season period and what kind of shape the squad are in.   The new signings are ready to go It has been a mixed transfer window so far. Some fans would have expected more both leaving and arriving at the Emirates stadium over the summer. But positives can be taken - Ben White has arrived from Brighton for £50million, and highly-rated full back Nuno Tavares has come in from Benfica. Albert Sambi Lokonga completes the 2021 summer singings so far. Cruc...
Read more

Transfer Profile: Ruben Neves

Image
Transfer Profile: Ruben Neves By Jonny Bray It is hard to believe that Ruben Neves is still only 25-years-old.   It feels as if the Portuguese international has been tipped for big things for nearly a decade now.  With the midfielder out of contract in 2023, it appears his time at Wolverhampton Wanderers could be coming to an end.  Understandably, with a player like Neves on offer for a reduced price, clubs around Europe are queueing up to secure the international's signature.  So, after all this time, should Arsenal move for Ruben Neves now, or is it time for the Gunners to turn their attention to a new target?  What would he bring?  Arsenal do not have enough defensive midfielders.  Martin Ødegaard, Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka give Mikel Arteta plenty of midfield options going forward, but the Gunners have been found lacking when out of possession this season. Thomas Partey has been in and out of the side due to injuries, a fact that has not hel...
Read more

Where will Arsenal finish this season?

Image
Where will Arsenal finish this season? By Alec McQuarrie Arsenal have made steady improvement over the last few seasons under Mikel Arteta. After finishing 8th in his debut season, the Spaniard oversaw a five-point improvement in his first full campaign.  And last year an eight-point leap followed, which was unfortunately not enough to pip Tottenham to fourth place.  Cruelly, the 69 points accumulated would have been enough to seal Champions League qualification in the previous two seasons.  Looking at the trajectory over the Arteta era, it would be fair to assume a continued improvement this coming season.  After all, with five signings already secured this summer and Alexandre Lacazette the sole first-team player to depart, surely fourth place should be a bare minimum expectation.  Oleksandr Zinchenko offers much-needed cover at left-back and competition for central midfield.  Gabriel Jesus is a proven goalscorer and brings a tireless work-ethic to fulfil...
Read more