Game Week 12 Predictions: Arsenal to beat Burnley

Burnley will hope to earn something against Arsenal at the Emirates but how will Arsenal handle them? (Photo credit: GOAL)

 

Arsenal vs. Burnley

Emirates Stadium

4:00pm

Arsenal felt undone by referee and VAR decisions last weekend but bounced back with a good response in Europe at the Emirates on Wednesday. Burnley is next, and Arsenal needs another statement home win.

Vincent Kompany and his lads are enduring a horrible start to life in the top flight; just one win in eleven games, and they have lost their last five in the league. In that time, the Clarets only found the back of the net twice; that’s poor to say the least.

Arsenal lost at Newcastle last weekend, their first league defeat of the season, and no matter how bad they feel about the result, they must move on. Tottenham lost to Chelsea, and Liverpool didn’t beat Luton. They can take solace in the surrounding results and give themselves something to cheer about before the break.

Burnley will be without Lyle Foster, who continues to struggle with personal issues, and a few other players who need to find fitness, but Kompany must make good use of the players at his disposal; the relegation waters won’t take excuses.

Arsenal is expected to still be without Martin Odegaard (groyne), Thomas Partey (muscle), and Gabriel Jesus (hamstring), but Eddie Nketiah trained with the rest of the boys on Friday, and the biggest news would be that of Bukayo Saka, who is fit to play.

The midfield will be a key battle. Arsenal is expected to return with the same men; Declan Rice, Jorginho, and Kai Havertz will go up against Josh Brownhill and Josh Cullen. It has a feel of David and Goliath in quality, but football isn’t that straightforward.

Arsenal is the clear favourite in this game, and it’s hard to see a different result other than an Arsenal win, but the Clarets can dream. They must manage the game well and also stay disciplined, as they have had players miss games due to suspension this season.

Gabriel Martinelli shone brightly in midweek against Sevilla; this is another game you expect him to boss on the left; Leandro Trossard is another option upfront; he did get himself on the score sheet on Wednesday; he will be happy to do it again.

With the international breakup next, both sides would love to have a result they can enjoy during the recess. A loss is untenable as the result will hover around for two weeks.

Verdict: Straight win at Arsenal