On a classic table-top vs. table-bottom challenge, the Premier League champions, Arsenal, visit Turf Moor to play a revived Burnley on Saturday, 1 st November. With an incredible track record against newly promoted teams, the Gunners will be seeking to increase their margin on top of the mountain. Burnley tries to maintain the current and improved form and put a distance between themselves and the relegation zone.
The Current Form
- Arsenal: The league leaders have been in superb form having won their last four Premier League matches. Their defence is solid. Their goal tally is just three goals conceded all season, including a run of three clean sheets in the league. Their 2-0 win at Brighton in the Carabao Cup midweek gave the manager a chance to rotate the team whilst the team is in form.
- Burnley: The team has caught fire with two successive league victories. This placed Burnley five points above the relegation threatened zone under the management of Scott Parker. A 3-2 away victory over Wolverhampton with Lyle Foster scoring a goal in the 95th minute will have given them a lot of confidence.
The Tactical Battles and Key Players
- Set- Piece Supremacy: One of the main battle will be the strength of set-piece attack of Arsenal. Also, the weakness of Burnley in this respect. Arsenal tops the league in terms of the number of set-piece goals. They scored 11 which constitute 69 percent of their total goals. On the contrary, this is a tactical misfit. This is because Burnley has allowed the second-most goals via set pieces in the league.
- Bukayo Saka vs Quilindschy Hartman: The question everyone will ask is whether Saka will come out of a recent sickness to challenge the in-form Dutch full back of Burnley, Hartman, who has four assists in his past four league matches.
- Viktor Gyokeres vs Maxime Esteve: Arsenal striker Gyokeres is yet to score after a goal drought at home, but will also target the goals of Burnley striker, Esteve, who has steadied after a dismal start.
Author’s Opinion
Arsenal have been very favorable in history, when it comes to this battle. Arsenal have also triumphed in 16 out of the 22 meetings with Burnley only being able to secure two. Moreover, Arsenal have not lost their last 11 out of all their away matches in the league against Burnley. They have won their last 13 matches in the Premier league against new comers to the league.
As featured on GoonerNews.com
