PREVIEW – ARSENAL V BURNLEY

The Emirates Stadium
Kick off: Saturday, 1st November, 15.00


The Teams

Arsenal (Possible 4-1-4-1) Wojciech Szczesny, Kieran Gibbs, Nacho Monreal, Per Mertesacker, Calum Chambers, Mikel Arteta, Santiago Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey, Alexis Sánchez, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Danny Welbeck.

Out: Mesut Ozil (knee), Laurent Koscielny (Achilles), Mathieu Debuchy (ankle), Oliver Giroud (broken foot), David Ospina (thigh).

Tests: Kieran Gibbs (hip/Pelvis), Theo Walcott (knee).

Burnley: (Possible 4-5-1) Tom Heaton, Ben Mee, Jason Shackell, Michael Duff, Kieran Trippier, George Boyd, David Jones, Nathaniel Chalobah, Scott Arfield, Michael Kightly, Danny Ings.

Out: Sam Vokes (knee), Matt Taylor (Achilles), Stephen Reid (groin).

Test: Dean Marney (hamstring).

Team News

Arsenal

The big news for the Gunners is that Theo Walcott could very well make his return from ruptured cruciate knee ligament injury suffered against Tottenham Hotspur in January. The speedy winger tweeted that training was going well and that he was looking forward to the weekend, the strongest indication yet that he will feature.

Kieran Gibbs was forced off after 16 minutes in Arsenal’s clash with Sunderland with a hip injury and his status is unclear coming into the weekend. If Gibbs cannot make it, Nacho Monreal will resume in the position he is more comfortable in, with Callum Chambers filling the centre back void.

The rest of the injury concerns from Wenger are long term: Mesut Ozil, who picked up a freak non-contact knee ligament injury at the beginning of the month is a long way away from returning to training; David Ospina badly aggravated a thigh problem a couple of weeks ago and it looks like he will miss another 2 months at least and Oliver Giroud and Mathieu Debuchy won’t be seen until Christmas at the earliest.

Jack Wilshire will return to the midfield however, having served his suspension, and Yaya Sanogo is also set to return from a long lay-off.

Burnley

Two of the Claret’s summer arrivals have not seen much of the field so far this season due to injury, Matt Taylor, who joined from West Ham United, has not played since their goalless draw with Manchester United in August and he remains out as he recovers from minor surgery on his Achilles. It will take Taylor another couple of weeks before he returns to full training. Sam Vokes will miss another number of weeks as he recovers from knee ligament trouble.

Things are looking up for Burnley manager Sean Dyche however, as Dean Marney, who missed the last four games with a hamstring twinge, should be available for selection after returning to training.

Stephen Reid has recovered from a lingering groin injury, but this game may just come a week too soon for the Irishman.

Insight

Arsenal haven’t looked particularly convincing at home this season. Since their win in the opening game against Crystal Palace, they have drawn the their three home games since, conceding 5 goals along the way. After only picking up two points from their last three games, Arsène Wenger’s side got back to winning ways last weekend with a good performance against Sunderland. Alexis Sanchez sparked them into life with an excellent display from midfield.

If Theo Walcott is indeed fit to play on Saturday, Arsène Wenger is likely to give the Englishman at least a half of football to get him ready for Arsenal’s upcoming fixtures. Set to face Swansea (A) and Manchester United (H) in their next two Premier League fixtures, there is no better time for Walcott to start building chemistry with the aforementioned Sanchez.

After starting the season defensively stout, Burney have conceded a massive 12 goals in their last four games. Everton put together some slick passing moves to unlock the Burnley defence three times last week, so Arsenal’s passing style is likely to create a number of goal scoring opportunities.

Danny Ings scored his first goal of the season against Everton last weekend, and the Clarets will hope that he will build on his performance this weekend. It is a difficult task for the Englishman however, as he is usually not given the support he needs in attack. Sean Dyche is likely to once again attempt to crowd the midfield on Saturday in an effort to suffocate the Arsenal midfield.

Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 Burnley

Interesting Fact: Arsenal have been behind at some point in each of their four Premier League home games this season