Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – JANUARY 27: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal during the FA Cup Fourth Round match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal at Vitality Stadium on January 27, 2020 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – JANUARY 27: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal during the FA Cup Fourth Round match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal at Vitality Stadium on January 27, 2020 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) /

Central Midfield

Mikel Arteta handed both Mesut Ozil and Lucas Torreira a very grateful rest on Monday night. By the time they travel to Turf Moor at the weekend, they will have had almost two weeks without a match, their last appearance against Chelsea on January 21st.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

With another two-week break afterwards, Arteta is managing many of the players that he worked exceptionally hard during the festive period and busy January schedule. Ozil has played in every game under Arteta prior to Monday night. Torreira has played all bar one. They will be rejuvenated on Sunday, both critical to the Arsenal set-up. Dani Ceballos is lurking behind Ozil, but he likely is not ready to start just yet.

They will most likely be joined by Granit Xhaka, who has excelled in a hybrid left-back role under Arteta, the greater time on the ball aiding his reliance on his left-footedness and immobility. The Swiss international will be pushed hard by Matteo Guendouzi, who has struggled to adapt under Arteta and the greater positional discipline required.

Guendouzi, though, is more talented than Xhaka and has a more complete skill set. It feels like a matter of time until he inherits the defensive midfield mantle, but for now, Xhaka is the man to start.