Game Week 37 Predictions: Arsenal must beat Burnley to stay in charge

Arsenal's title bid will be decided by whatever the Gunners do at home against Burnley on Monday. Will Burnley make it easy for Arsenal?...

Arsenal's title bid will be decided by whatever the Gunners do at home against Burnley on Monday. Will Burnley make it easy for Arsenal? (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

 Arsenal vs. Burnley

Emirates Stadium

8:00pm

There's a sense of jeopardy in the air for Arsenal. Fear of the unknown grips the entire fan base; a seemingly routine game could turn into a heart-wrenching, nerve-wracking encounter. There's no place to hide for the Gunners on Monday night.

Since the Bournemouth embarrassment at home, Arsenal has won every game. Beating Newcastle, Fulham, and West Ham to take full advantage of Manchester City's slip-up at Everton and seeing Atletico Madrid off to book a date with PSG in the final of the Champions League.

Burnley has nothing to lose. They will turn up at the Emirates to act as spoilers. The way Burnley handled Aston Villa at Villa Park last weekend should get every Arsenal fan worried, but you can also put that down to fatigue from playing in the Europa League.

Declan Rice was the star of the reverse fixture. The England midfielder headed home to seal a 2-0 win for the Gunners at Turf Moor; Rice will be central again on Monday as he's expected to be partnered with Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Burnley can field some fringe players to give them top-flight experience on their way out. The Clarets were competitive against Aston Villa last weekend; they will have another opportunity to go for the scalp of another top side in the Premier League.

What could go wrong for Arsenal? Fatigue is not a tenable excuse at this stage of the season. They can smell glory; it is within touching distance. The Gunners know what to do to become champions: win your remaining two games, and it's done. They cannot allow complacency to ruin their scripts.

Burnley, under Mike Jackson, will set up to compete. Having a go at a rich squad like Arsenal's can be suicidal, but Burnley must be brave. The Clarets won't have many chances to trouble David Raya; they must take any they get.

The task before the Gunners is simple. Beat Burnley and beat Crystal Palace, and you're the champions of England. Mikel Arteta knows this; his players know this, yet there's a level of agitation among the fans. Will the players warm the hearts of the fans on Monday?

Bukayo Saka is fit and ready to shine on the right. Martin Ødegaard came in against West Ham and made the huge difference that produced the goal. It is left to be seen whether Mikel Arteta will retain his lineup or start the Norwegian captain.

Viktor Gyokeres and Ebere Eze are other options for the Gunners. It all depends on what Arteta decides to do. Leandro Trossard has been impressive of late; Gabriel Martinelli is another option off the bench. Kai Havertz could also come in to help the team.

Arsenal must beat Burnley; there are no two ways about it. Will the Gunners step up to the challenge to give their fans a night of all nights?

Verdict: Arsenal to beat Burnley.