Arsenal are set to face Burnley in a crucial Premier League encounter at the Emirates Stadium on 11th November 2023.
As the match approaches, both teams are dealing with key player issues, including injuries and suspensions, setting the stage for an intriguing clash.
Arsenal face Burnley at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League this weekend, looking to bounce back from their defeat against PGMOL United at St James’s Park.
Ahead of the match, Arsenal are assessing injuries to Eddie Nketiah, Martin Odegaard, and Takehiro Tomiyasu, while Bukayo Saka is a doubt.
However, Gabriel Jesus, Jurrien Timber, Thomas Partey, and Emile Smith Rowe remain sidelined.
Burnley’s top scorer, Lyle Foster, is unavailable due to a mental health issue, but Josh Cullen returns from suspension, and Hjalmar Ekdal may be back in contention.
In terms of head-to-head statistics, Burnley’s only win in their last 18 meetings with Arsenal was in December 2020 at the Emirates Stadium.
However, they are seeking a third consecutive clean sheet at the Emirates and that can’t be ruled out on Saturday. Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal have dropped points in four of their five league games against Burnley.
Despite that, Arsenal boast a strong record at home against newly promoted teams, remaining unbeaten in 37 league games since a loss to Newcastle in 2010 and, if it’s tight in the first half, don’t be too concerned. Nine of Arsenal’s last 10 Premier League goals have been scored in the second half.
Could Kai Havertz be the man to unlock Burnley? Havertz has scored three goals against the Clarets but has only one goal in 18 appearances for Arsenal. I could be imagining it, but it seems to me that the former Chelsea man has started to show sparks of life following his near-red card challenge against Newcastle last week.
I quite fancy him to score on Saturday.
Eddie Nketiah has scored 16 of his 19 Premier League goals in London and will hopefully be back from his ankle knock to add to that tally.
Burnley, on the other hand, have lost nine of their first 11 league matches this season, a record matched only in 1904.
They have been defeated in six of their last seven league games and could face a fifth consecutive top-flight loss, a situation they haven’t been in since 1976.
Jay Rodriguez has not scored in 24 away Premier League games since February 2021.
Finally, no team in the top-flight has ever avoided relegation after losing 10 or more of their first 12 matches.