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[Image] Key duo return to start, Pepe out: My Arsenal line-up vs Burnley

By on September 17, 2021

thomas partey arsenal

Arsenal take on Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon. This is the line-up I’d like to see Mikel Arteta select for the match…

Aaron Ramsdale appears to have ousted Bernd Leno as Arsenal’s No.1, for now at least, and he has kept two clean sheets in his two starts so far. I still think it’s a little harsh on Leno but you can’t knock Ramsdale so far, therefore, I’d stick with him tomorrow.

Our defence looked MUCH better against Norwich City last weekend and I hope Arteta gives this back four a chance to develop together. With no European football, there is no reason to chop and change this season.

Takehiro Tomiyasu looked solid at right-back and his aerial presence will be needed against Burnley while we know Kieran Tierney will be up for the battle. Gabriel needs to put in a dominant display this weekend and it will be interesting to see how Ben White gets on against the physical Burnley attackers. I have my concerns about his abilities in the air so hopefully he doesn’t get found out this weekend.

Partey returns

Thomas Partey made a big difference when he came on during Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Norwich last time out. Arteta has said the club are managing Partey’s fitness but we badly need him against Burnley so it’s a no brainer for me. Partey has to start!

Emile Smith Rowe Arsenal

Granit Xhaka is suspended but I’d love to see Albert Sambi Lokonga starting alongside Partey for the foreseeable future. The young Belgian has really impressed since arriving in the summer and I think he’s going to be a big player for Arsenal.

We missed Emile Smith Rowe’s directness and energy last week and he made an impact off the bench when he came on. Nicolas Pepe also had a decent game but I don’t think Burnley away is a particularly good fixture for him. We know the type of game this is going to be and I’d prefer to see Smith Rowe starting ahead of Pepe tomorrow.

Bukayo Saka should keep his place in the Arsenal attack while I’d keep Martin Odegaard in the attacking midfield role. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang got off the mark last week so hopefully that gives him some confidence heading into this game. I’d go with Auba up top again meaning Alexandre Lacazette misses out.

I’m getting a little concerned about Gabriel Martinelli as he’s not being given many opportunities this season. Maybe he’s not fully fit, perhaps he’s not impressing in training or he’s just in a slump but I want to see him back to his best soon.

However, tomorrow, he should be on the bench along with the likes of Folarin Balogun, Eddie Nketiah and Lacazette so we’ll have plenty of attacking options if needed.

This would be my Arsenal line-up:

football formations

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