Arsenal predicted lineup vs Burnley: Return to full strength?

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal received a welcome and lengthy rest (in relative terms) this week. Six days stand in between the Gunners’ impressive 3-1 Premier League win over Leicester and this weekend’s trip to Burnley.

Trips to Turf Moor are notoriously difficult for Arsenal. Since Burnley’s 2016 return to the Premier League, the Gunners’ visits to the Clarets have been characterised by games decided by fine margins.

Just over a year ago, Mikel Arteta travelled to Lancashire for the first time as a manager and walked away with a respectable 0-0 draw. Nevertheless, he’ll be hoping for a better result this weekend.

A key reason for why Arsenal have often had a tough time in at this ground is due to the atmosphere, or lack of, brought about the Burnley fans. Of course, they won’t be in attendance tomorrow, so that could indeed be advantageous.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Burnley at Turf Moor in the Premier League on Saturday

As for team news, Arteta once again heads into a game knowing that he’ll have his entire squad available.

There is a chance Emile Smith Rowe could miss out as he’s carrying a slight groin strain, but Mikel Arteta didn’t sound too worried about him in his pre-match press conference. The Arsenal boss will no doubt have a few selection dilemmas before him. Does he reward those who performed so well against Leicester with another Premier League start?

Or, should he try to get some running in the legs of the players who were involved against Benfica ahead of Thursday’s tie against Olympiacos?

Decisions, decisions…

Here’s my predicted lineup:

Goalkeeper and Defenders

Bernd Leno (GK) – After celebrating his 29th Birthday on Thursday, Bernd Leno’s focus will return to match action in Lancashire tomorrow. No doubt he’d view a clean sheet as the perfect gift.

Çedric (RB) – It’s fantastic to see that Hector Bellerin now has some proper competition at right-back. Whenever he’s been called upon of late, Çedric has more than held his weight. He looked like he enjoyed himself against Leicester last week, and should be given a second consecutive start tomorrow.

David Luiz (CB) – Centre-back David Luiz was another stand out performer at Leicester last week. Not only did he grab a goal, but his long passing down the right caused Leicester constant issues and he was rock solid defensively.

Luiz is one of Arsenal’s most in-form players right now and thus the Brazillian must start.

Gabriel (CB) – Next to Luiz, fellow Brazilian Gabriel should return to the starting lineup. Pablo Marì did his reputation no harm in the Midlands last weekend but Gabriel’s physicality should suit a trip away to Turf Moor.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – The full-back nearest to Gabriel should be Kieran Tierney. The Scot would’ve been one of the players who welcomed the six-day break most after he played a full 90′ twice in the space of four days last week.