October has been a brilliant month for Arsenal, now they have to have to really push on and start November in the same form. There are three games left until the next international break, which is the magic point for me as key players like Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke and Martin Odegaard will return after that to give this squad a new level and a massive boosts. It’s therefore vital we get to that period without any damage to the brilliant position we’ve got ourselves into, so a win at Burnley is an absolute must. Mikel Arteta rang the changes against Brighton in the Carabao Cup so the vast majority of the players should be well rested, so now it’s time to use those fresh legs to bring home the points for Arsenal.
Areas of encouragement
As I mentioned previously, our form in October was sensational so confidence should be high that Arsenal can continue their run, away at Burnley. Two goals from open play in midweek should silence a few doubters and give us a lift. If there was any doubt creeping in, that we can do the business from open play, that will have done the team no harm at all, even if the team was much changed.
Burnley have proven themselves hard to beat so far this season, yet they have the joint third worst defence in the league, with 17 conceded, so Arsenal’s attack should be really looking to increase this figure further on Saturday afternoon.
Areas of concern
Burnley have strung together a couple of wins and have pulled out of the bottom three and although many would argue Arsenal should run out comfortable winners here, the Lancashire side should not be underestimated. These old grounds always make it feel like that bit more of a test as well, with the fans right on top of the pitch, so Arsenal will have to adapt accordingly and take a hold of the game nice and early, to try and silence the home fans. I’m assuming Burnley will be playing a back 5 as well, and as we saw against Crystal Palace, Arsenal have struggled at times when teams attack with those wingbacks flying high up the pitch on the counter. Arsenal managed the situation quite well against Palace and will need to do the same here.
What I’d love to see
A strong performance from Arsenal would go a long way here. Don’t get me wrong, with the squad a bit stretched at the moment, getting the three points anyway necessary is all that matters, yet it feels like Arsenal need to put on a show at some point and I don’t see any reason why they shouldn’t be looking to do that against the newly promoted side.
What I’d hate to see
There have been periods during this recent run where Arsenal have looked a bit flat and the slow, horse-shoe passing showing signs of returning. That can’t happen here. The stakes are too high. We need to be moving the ball with zip and purpose and move their defenders about.
Lineup and Team News
With all bar Eberechi Eze rested during the week, Mikel Arteta will almost certainly call back the 10 rested players for this one. The performance against Brighton in the week was good enough to get the job done and there some strong second half performances from the likes of Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly. That said, I don’t think anyone did quite enough to keep out any of the ‘Premier League’ starters so I think all of the rested players will come back in with the hope of continuing their fine Premier League form. William Saliba sounds doubtful for this one and could miss out all together, so I’m going for Cristhian Mosquera to start this one, with Andre Harriman-Annous making up the numbers on the bench, following his debut against Brighton.
Predicted lineup:
Raya
Timber
Mosquera
Gabriel
Calafiori
Zubimendi
Rice
Eze
Saka
Gyokeres
Trossard
Substitutes:
Arrizabalaga
White
Hincapie
Lewis-Skelly
Norgaard
Merino
Nwaneri
Dowman
Harriman-Annous
PREDICTION
I’m not one of those fans who is expecting a cake walk however, I do expect Arsenal to make flex their muscles a little bit so I’m going for 2-0 to The Arsenal, in another professional job.