Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Burnley: Predicted starting XI – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang returns

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 11: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with teammate Nicolas Pepe during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on January 11, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 11: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with teammate Nicolas Pepe during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on January 11, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 21: David Luiz of Arsenal walks off after receiving a red card during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC at Stamford Bridge on January 21, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 21: David Luiz of Arsenal walks off after receiving a red card during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC at Stamford Bridge on January 21, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

Centre-Backs

Perhaps the weakest position in the squad at present, Arsenal only have two fit and readily available centre-backs: Sokratis, who only just returned to the team on Monday night against Bournemouth, and David Luiz, who is only just returning to the team this weekend after missing the Bournemouth trip due to suspension.

In theory, Rob Holding is fit, but the Englishman looked extremely rusty when introduced for Shkodran Mustafi on Monday night. After tearing his ACL last season, Holding has struggled for sharpness all year and will not be ready to play this weekend. The break could do him well.

Similarly, while Mustafi got away with a badly sprained ankle, he will miss the match through injury while new signing Pablo Mari likely will not be ready to feature prominently. That makes Mikel Arteta’s decision easy, though not necessarily a reliable one.