Arsenal will look to strengthen their position at the top of the Premier League table on Saturday afternoon as they travel to Turf Moor to take on promoted Burnley.
Arsenal extended their winning run to four matches in the Premier League last weekend, as a goal from Eberechi Eze against his former club, Crystal Palace, was enough to seal a 1-0 victory over The Eagles.
Mikel Arteta’s men are four points clear of surprise package Bournemouth, who currently occupy second spot, after picking up 22 points from a possible 27 (W7-D1-L1).
The Gunners have only dropped points away at champions Liverpool and at home to Manchester City, winning all six of their matches against teams positioned in 10th and below.
They do take on a Burnley side who will be full of confidence after recording back-to-back victories away at Wolves last Sunday, on an afternoon both of my selections landed.
Prior to that, Scott Parker’s men defeated fellow promoted side Leeds 2-0 at home, meaning they have now lost just one of their opening four Premier League matches at Turf Moor since their promotion back to the top flight.
How the bookies view it: Arsenal clear favourites
As expected, Arsenal are clear favourites to extend their winning run to five matches in the Premier League at Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon, with BOYLE Sports pricing an away success at 1/4.
Burnley are 10/1 underdogs to claim their third consecutive victory in the English top flight, whilst the draw is 15/4.
Head to head: Gunners five unbeaten
Arsenal are unbeaten in each of their previous five meetings with Burnley (W3-D2-L0), having achieved the double over them two seasons ago when The Clarets were last in the top flight (3-1 & 0-5).
Players to watch: Declan with another delivery?
Arsenal have a reputation for being strong from set-pieces for the past two or three seasons, with Declan Rice’s prowess from a dead ball being a key part of their attacking arsenal. The England international has three assists and a goal to his name already for The Gunners this season, and is 13/10 to Score or Assist at Turf Moor on Saturday.
Predicted line-ups:
Scott Parker will once again be unable to call on Zeki Amdouni, Jordan Beyer and Connor Roberts due to injury.
Mikel Arteta will be without Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard and Noni Madueke through injury, whilst William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli are doubts.
Burnley: Dubravka, Walker, Tuanzebe, Esteve, Hartman, Cullen, Florentino, Bruun Larsen, Ugochukwu, Anthony, Flemming
Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Eze, Rice, Saka, Trossard, Gyokeres
Anything else catch the eye?
As alluded to, Arsenal have won all six of their meetings with teams positioned in 10th and below in the Premier League table, and should be too strong for their hosts.
Six of the Gunners’ seven Premier League wins have featured fewer than four goals, and a repeat pays 10/11 at BOYLE Sports, which appeals to me here.
Mikel Arteta’s visitors have conceded three goals in the Premier League all season, and have also kept a clean sheet in 6/7 (86%) of their victories, and an Arsenal Win to Nil pays 20/23 at BOYLE Sports, which also appeals.
GambleAware