Burnley vs Arsenal preview, injury update, possible line-up and predicted score

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Arsenal will be looking to continue their recent run of good form with another win over Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon.

After a tough end to 2023 that saw us slump to shock defeats to West Ham and Fulham, Arsenal have returned to their best form to rejuvenate our title charge. Following a much-needed winter break in Dubai, we thrashed Crystal Palace 5-0 at the Emirates Stadium before securing a hard-fought 2-1 win away to Nottingham Forest.

Then came the hugely impressive 3-1 win over title rivals Liverpool which saw us move to within just two points of the league leaders and kept our title hopes alive. That victory clearly gave the players some confidence as we followed it up with a sensational performance to batter West Ham 6-0 at the London Stadium last weekend. William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Leandro Trossard and a brace from Bukayo Saka put Arsenal in total control before Declan Rice completed the rout with a stunner against his old club.

It was certainly a statement win from Arsenal and we should rightly be considered genuine title contenders again. We head into the weekend action sitting level on points and goal difference with Manchester City, and just two adrift of leaders Liverpool. City have a game in hand but even if they win that match Arsenal will still only be three points off the leaders with 14 games left to play, so it’s all to play for over the coming months.

Man City are undoubtedly a formidable side, and Liverpool are obviously in the mix too, but if Arsenal can just keep winning games and staying in touch at the top, we could do something special this year. Last season we lead the way for the vast majority of the campaign and fell away during the closing stages. Maybe not having that pressure of being leaders will suit us more this time around, and no doubt the players will have learned a lot from last seasons collapse.

The important thing is Arsenal just keep winning and we cannot afford any more silly slip-ups, which means three points are a must away to relegation-threatened Burnley this weekend. The Clarets sit joint bottom of the table having won just three of their 24 Premier League games so far this season. It’s safe to say Burnley have struggled upon their return to the top flight and this is the sort of game Arsenal simply have to win if we want to be champions.

Burnley lost 3-1 away to Liverpool last weekend having lost by the same score-line away to Man City in late January. They should be stronger on home soil but Vincent Kompany’s men have only picked up five points at Turf Moor all season – three of which came in their only win over Sheffield United – so this should be a great opportunity for Arsenal to get a win and keep the pressure on our rivals.

Match details

Burnley versus Arsenal hasn’t been selected for live broadcast so it won’t be available to watch in the UK. The game will kick off at 3pm on Saturday 16th February at Turf Moor.

With no live feed to watch, the only way to see all the action as it happens is to be in the stands at Turf Moor. Supporters can buy tickets for the game via the usual club channels but if they’re already sold out, fans can use a ticket marketplace such as Seatsnet.com to buy last minute tickets for the game.

Injury update

Arsenal have several injury doubts ahead of the game. Gabriel Jesus has missed the last three matches due to a knee injury and he’ll need to be assessed before his availability for the trip to Burnley is known.

Oleksandr Zinchenko also missed the win over West Ham after picking up a calf injury during the win over Liverpool. The Ukrainian international remains a doubt this weekend. Thankfully, Takehiro Tomiyasu could be back in contention after missing the trip to the London Stadium after returned from the Asian Cup with a minor knock. The Japan international is expected to be fit to return tomorrow so he could replace Jacub Kiwior at left-back if Zinchenko remains out.

Thomas Partey is on the sidelines after picking up a fresh thigh injury in training earlier this month. Arteta says it’s not a serious issue but the trip to Burnley will come too soon for the midfielder. Emile Smith Rowe could return after missing the win over West Ham with a minor ankle injury that he sustained in training.

Fabio Vieira is close to making his long-awaited return from groin surgery but he won’t be available tomorrow while Jurrien Timber is also still working his way back to full fitness from a serious ACL injury.

As for Burnley, they’ll assess Maxime Esteve after he was forced off last weekend while Nathan Redmond remains out with a hamstring injury. Luca Koleosho is also missing due to a knee problem while Lyle Foster is still on the sidelines.

Kompany will also still be without the services of Jordan Beyer but Charlie Taylor could return from a shoulder issue.

Likely line-ups

Arsenal are unlikely to tinker too much from the side that thrashed West Ham so David Raya will keep his place in goal while Ben White, Saliba and Gabriel will also start once again. The only change in defence could be at left-back if Zinchenko and/or Tomiyasu return.

Rice and Martin Odegaard are certain starters along with Saka while Gabriel Martinelli should also keep his place on the left. If Jesus is passed fit he’ll be hoping for a recall up front but Arteta may not want to rush him back with big games against Porto and Newcastle coming up next. Therefore, Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz could keep their places this weekend.

Likely Arsenal line-up: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli

Likely Burnley line-up:  Trafford; Assignon, O’Shea, Esteve, Delcroix; Odobert, Berge, Brownhill, Bruun Larsen; Amdouni, Fofana

Predicted score

Burnley will hope to put in a good fight but it’s difficult to see past an Arsenal win here. The Gunners defence has been solid lately and if we can keep things tight tomorrow, we should have enough firepower at the other end to pick up the three points.

The attackers went through a tough patch late last year, but we’re firing on all cylinders again so I’m backing the boys to bring home a routine win from Turf Moor to keep the pressure on Liverpool and City. Burnley 0-2 Arsenal

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