Dutiful task for the Gunners?

The last time Arsenal FC took to the pitch in the Premier League was on New Year’s Day. Since then, the Gunners have only played in the cup competitions due to quarantine. Mikel Arteta’s team has already bowed out of the FA Cup, and during the week the north Londoners also had to pack their bags in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup.

Until the end of the season, the focus is now on the league competition, where the Gunners still have the chance to achieve a starting place in the top flight. Currently, Arsenal FC are separated by only two points from second-placed WHU. However, it should be noted that the North Londoners, meanwhile, still have two catch-up games to play.

In the best possible scenario, the Gunners can even clinch a place in the Champions League on their own merits. The result in the north London derby against Spurs will be the most important factor. For the time being, however, there is a must-win game against Burnley FC on the agenda this weekend.

The Clarets currently sit bottom of the Premier League table and, as expected, are classed as underdogs at the Gunners. However, bettors looking to back the visitors in the Arsenal v Burnley match can pick up odds of up to 1.37 if they are successful.

Arsenal – Statistics & current form

The Gunners have not played the best season so far, yet there is still a chance in the second leg to finish the 2021/22 season in a starting spot for the top flight for the first time in six years. For that to happen, however, the north Londoners will need to underpin their ongoing form in the English top flight as the second half of the season progresses.

Arsenal FC last played a match in the league on New Year’s Day, when they suffered an unfortunate defeat at the hands of leaders Manchester. Since then, the Gunners have suffered bitter setbacks in the cup competitions. In the FA Cup, Arsenal FC had to bow out of the competition against a second-division team, while in the EFL Cup they lost to LFC in the semi-finals.

It is therefore all the more important to end the current results crisis in the must-win game against Burnley FC. Arsenal won the first duel of the season with the Clarets, who are currently in last place in the Premier League, 1-0. It was the Gunners’ 12th league win in their last 18 matches with Burnley. Arsenal have lost only one of their 18 competitive matches in that period.

Are the Gunners showing signs of defiance?

The year started with a 2-1 home defeat to Manchester City. Another defeat at the Emirates is – at least statistically – rather unrealistic. Since 2012, the Gunners have not lost two home games in a row to start the year in the English top flight.

Because the north Londoners are among the strongest teams in the league at home anyway, it is obvious that the record against the bottom of the Premier League will be extended. In ten home games in the current league season, Mikel Arteta & Co. have a record of 7-1-2. Only Liverpool FC and Manchester City have picked up more points at home than Arsenal.

On average, Arteta’s team scored 1.80 goals per home game. Emile Smith Rowe, the Gunners’ top scorer with eight goals and two assists, played a big part in that. As in the cup match during the week, the youngster will also be in the starting eleven against Burnley FC.

In return, Mikel Arteta will have to do without a total of eight players, including Pepe and Elneny, who are meanwhile still playing in the 2022 Africa Cup.

Predicted Arsenal line-up:
Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney; Lokonga, Ödegaard; Saka, Smith Rowe, Martinelli; Lacazette

Last matches played by Arsenal:

Carabao Cup
01/20 2022 – Arsenal London 0 – 2 Liverpool FC

01/13 2022 – Liverpool FC 0 – 0 Arsenal London

FA Cup
01/09 2022 – Nottingham Forest 1 – 0 Arsenal London

Premier League
01/01 2022 – Arsenal London 1 – 2 Manchester City

12/26 2021 – Norwich 0 – 5 Arsenal London

Burnley – Statistics & current form

Burnley, meanwhile, are on course for the Championship. The Clarets still have to play catch-up games compared to relegation rivals such as Norwich, Watford and Newcastle, but nevertheless the current table situation cannot be glossed over. Especially as Burnley FC currently carry the red lantern of the Premier League.

To make matters worse, Dyche’s team also had to lament a bitter departure in the current winter transfer window. Chris Wood, one of the few bright spots in the squad, was sold – unintentionally, mind you – with a fixed exit clause.

Just a fortnight ago, Burnley’s second-best scorer was in the starting eleven against Huddersfield. Now Wood is playing for relegation rivals Newcastle and trying to stay in the league with the Magpies. Surprisingly, Burnley FC have so far been without reinforcements in the attack.

Relegation only a matter of time?

Statistically, the last team in the table has the second weakest attack in the league anyway. Only the promoted team from Norwich scored fewer goals than Burnley FC this season. It would therefore not be at all surprising if a goal is missed in the away game in London. Bets on “both score” are associated with a lot of risk in Arsenal vs. Burnley anyway.

The only encouraging thing for the Clarets ahead of Sunday’s away game is their recent away record in London. In the English top flight, Burnley have won five of their last nine away games in London. The last time the Clarets were in London, they picked up a surprise point against Chelsea.

As with Sunday’s opponents from North London, Burnley FC have had to contend with some serious absences due to quarantine. In the meantime, the Clarets’ list of players has been reduced again. Only four players are expected to miss Sunday’s game against Arsenal. In return, returnees such as Vydra, Pieters, McNeil, Collins and Gudmundsson will be available again.

Predicted Burnley line-up:
Pope; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor; Gudmundsson, Cork, Westwood, Brownhill; Lennon, Rodriguez

Last matches played by Burnley:

FA Cup
01/08 2022 – Burnley 1 – 2 Huddersfield

Premier League
01/02 2022 – Leeds 3 – 1 Burnley

12/30 2021 – Manchester United 3 – 1 Burnley

12/12 2021 – Burnley 0 – 0 West Ham

12/04 2021 – Newcastle United 1 – 0 Burnley

Arsenal – Burnley Direct Comparison / H2H Record

This is the 113th time the two clubs have met. Arsenal lead the direct comparison with a record of 55-23-34. In the league, the Gunners have lost only one of their last 18 games against Burnley. In return, there have been twelve wins and five draws in that period. That defeat, however, came in the north Londoners’ last home game against Burnley.

In the first leg of the 2020/21 season, Dyche’s side prevailed 1-0 in London. Now, for the first time since December 1960, the Clarets will be looking to score three in a row at league rivals North London.

Arsenal – Burnley Tip

The Gunners are out to make amends after the cup defeat during the week. Against Sunday’s opponents, Arsenal FC are under some pressure to win. After all, Burnley, at the bottom of the table, are currently the weakest team in the English top flight. Burnley already lost the match against the Gunners in the first half of the season.

For the Clarets, it was already the twelfth defeat in the last 18 league matches with the North Londoners. It is quite possible that the negative trend will continue against Sunday’s opponents. In the two-week break, the bottom team had to give away Chris Wood, one of the few bright spots in the attack, to the relegation rivals from Newcastle.

As the second weakest offensive team in the league, Burnley are doomed to fail without further reinforcements in the second half of the season. Already in London, we expect an outright defeat for the Clarets, who will thus miss a must-win match for the ninth time in a row across competitions.