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[Image] No Lacazette, new signings start? – How Arsenal should line-up vs Burnley

By on February 1, 2020

gabriel martinelli 2019

Arsenal take on Burnley at Turf Moor on Sunday afternoon. Here is the line-up I’d like Mikel Arteta to select…

New signings not involved

Arsenal strengthened the squad in January with centre-back Pablo Mari arriving on loan from Flamengo on Wednesday while right-back Cedric Soares was a deadline day signing from Southampton.

Both players have only taken part in some light training sessions so they haven’t had much time to get used to their new surroundings. Soares definitely won’t feature as he’s still recovering from a knee injury but I don’t think Mari will be involved either. Certainly not from the start anyway.

Hector Bellerin is fully fit again so he should remain at right-back. Sead Kolasinac has made a swift recovery from his injury and will undergo a late fitness test but I wouldn’t rush him back as Bukayo Saka has done very well at left-back.

Rob Holding seems to be taking his time getting back to his best following a lengthy injury so Sokratis should keep his place. David Luiz is back from his suspension so I’d recall him with Shkodran Mustafi dropping out.

In midfield, I’d go with Lucas Torreira alongside Granit Xhaka. Matteo Guendouzi’s form has been inconsistent lately so I don’t think there is too much doubt Torreira and Xhaka is our best pairing right now.

pierre-emerick aubameyang arsenal

Dani Ceballos is still at Arsenal after failing to secure a move back to Spain in January but he’s out-of-favour under Arteta for some reason. I’m a big fan of Ceballos so hopefully he can get his head down in training and force his way into Arteta’s plans.

Joe Willock put-in a terrific display against Bournemouth last time out in the FA Cup but he’ll drop to the bench with Mesut Ozil set for a recall in the attacking midfield position after he was rested at the Vitality Stadium.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is back in contention after completing his three-match suspension and obviously he should be recalled. However, I’d play him through the middle as there is no way we should drop Gabriel Martinelli.

The Brazilian has been excellent in recent weeks and should be one of the first names on the team sheet right now. So I’d play Auba up front with Alexandre Lacazette making way as he’s really struggling at the minute.

Nicolas Pepe’s form has been inconsistent but he’s always a danger so I’d stick with him on the right-back. Especially as Reiss Nelson is still unavailable due to a hamstring injury. Eddie Nketiah will be pleased to have got a goal against Bournemouth last week but he’ll be on the bench tomorrow.

Here is how I hope Arsenal line-up:

football formations