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

Front Three

Arsenal’s young players were sensational against Bournemouth on Monday night. Bukayo Saka at left-back, Eddie Nketiah as the centre-forward and Gabriel Martinelli off the left flank. It is wonderful to see, and it generates terrific competition for places within the team.

That competition will push the apparent starters. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang returns from suspension and will almost certainly start. He has been Arsenal’s best player all year long, their top goalscorer, and utterly critical to their attacking play. The other two positions are a little more uncertain.

Alexandre Lacazette has been widely praised by Arteta in recent weeks and was rested against Bournemouth. It is fair to assume that he will start again on Sunday. He will be desperate to end his near-two-month goal drought before the two-week break. Nicolas Pepe, on the other hand, is far less certain. He has been outplayed by Martinelli in recent outings and his place in the team is under serious threat.

For now, I expect to see Pepe continue to start on right side of the front three. But the pressure is mounting and a performance is required.