Tag: Arsenal FC

Arsenal Premier League favourites after Burnley win continues strong start
Arsenal went seven points clear after goals by Viktor Gyokeres and Declan Rice secured victory at Turf Moor.

The Gunners’ continued impenetrable defence remains a key facet of their strong success, as they equalled a club record for consecutive clean sheets and remain on course to give a good go at challenging Chelsea’s imperious record of just 15 goals conceded in 2004/05.

Premier League all-time top goalscorer Shearer sung the praises of the Gunners’ strength all over the pitch and claimed he does not see a weakness in Arteta’s side as they dominate from set-pieces while offering “so much more than that” in their overall performance.

“I can’t see a weakness,” former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer told BBC Sport.

“They’ve scored again from a set-piece but there’s been so much more than that in the performance. I like the way they’re using [Riccardo] Calafiori and [Jurrien] Timber in advanced positions to create overloads and win set-piece opportunities.”

“When I first started doing punditry in 2021, Arsenal’s biggest failing was they are a bit soft-centered, you could almost bully them,” said Onouha.

“Now you look at the way they can play. If it needs to be a fight, it will be a fight. If it needs to be a footballing game it can be a footballing game.

“People don’t want to be classed as favourites for anything at this part of the season. There is a lot of pressure that comes with that. For the Arsenal side, three years in a row they have finished second, why not have the belief they can finish first?

“The depth that they have, if somebody drops out it’s the next person up,” added Onuoha. “Ultimately, this is why they are being classed as favourites because they are in a great position.”

Sky Sports’ former Manchester United full-back Gary Neville added: “Arsenal are reliable, you can trust them. This is your title, Arsenal. I’ve never really felt that sure before, it’s so early in the season, but it really is [yours].

“That’s not being overconfident, or placing pressure. Arsenal must feel it themselves. This is the moment Arsenal can get back to [winning the title]. The chance is there for them; they have to take it.”

‘We were exceptional’ – Arteta
Arsenal manager Arteta said at full-time: “Especially the way we started the game, I think in the first half we were exceptional. Scored two goals, probably should have scored another two or three.

“We gave nothing away, and that was the platform to win it because in the second half, it’s true that we weren’t that precise, especially with the ball, we had to make a few changes and didn’t have that much control of the game. But defensively, again, we were exceptional to maintain the clean sheet.”

Continue as they are, and Arsenal glory awaits

After three years of agonising second-placed finishes, Arsenal look like the team to beat at present and have already amounted a handsome advantage over title rivals Liverpool and Manchester City, still the only two sides against whom the Gunners have dropped points so far this season.

If they can continue their immaculate record against the rest of the division and continue to prevent opponents from even having a shot on target – their last four opponents have managed one between them – then this could be the season Arsenal and Arteta finally reach the top of the mountain and win the Premier League title.

Arsenal secured a fifth-straight Premier League win after a 2-0 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor.

The Gunners went into the game as clear frontrunners and produced a strong display as expected.

Viktor Gyokeres opened the scoring from a set-piece before Declan Rice doubled the advantage.

Gyokeres delivered a fantastic long ball to Leandro Trossard. The Belgium international subsequently made a terrific cross for Rice to head into the back of the net.

Aside from his goal, Rice was everywhere on the pitch. He had a passing accuracy of 91 percent with 94 touches. Rice won nine out of 14 duels alongside nine ball recoveries.

He also won 100 percent of his tackles (5/5) with four clearances and three interceptions. Overall, the midfielder managed 10 defensive contributions more than Gabriel.

It was a fantastic all-round showing from the England international against the Clarets, and there were no surprises that he was handed the man of the match.

Rice had a mixed start to the campaign, but his form has drastically picked up in recent weeks. The 26-year-old now appears to be in the best phase of his career.

Arsenal are presently seven points ahead of second-placed Bournemouth in the league standings, but the gap could reduce with three more fixtures left in the game week.

The Gunners’ immediate focus will turn to Tuesday’s Champions League encounter against Sparta Prague on the road. Rice may need to be extra cautious if he starts.

He has already picked up two yellow cards in the elite European competition. A booking on Tuesday evening would see him miss the game against Bayern Munich.

Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi suffered muscle injuries earlier today. The latter won’t be involved against Sparta anyway due to suspension (three yellow cards).

Mikel Arteta talked about another big victory for Arsenal against Burnley.

Viktor Gyökeres put in one of his best performances for the Gunners, grabbing an early goal from a corner kick to set the tone. Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard came close to scoring a second strike before Declan Rice raced onto a delivery from the left winger to head home in open play.

A 2-0 lead was enough for the guests at Turf Moor as their defensive discipline made up for some sloppiness on the ball, and the Premier League leaders are eight points clear at the top of the table.

“Very happy. It’s a really tough place to come.

“They’ve lost once in 18 months, against Liverpool, with the last kick of the game from a penalty. I think we started the game exceptionally well. I think the first half was one of the best that we’ve played. Scored two goals, generated another two or three big chances and conceded nothing.

“That was a platform because in the second half, we dropped the standards, especially with the ball, with our intentions to take more risks and play forwards. But again, defensively we were exceptional, till the point of the free-kick, we were a bit lucky that it hit the post and kept the clean sheet.

“In midweek we did exactly the same. At the end, against teams that want to defend in that low block, it is more difficult and Burnley, credit to them, because they are very, very well organised and the big teams have struggled big time to generate chances and opportunities against them. We certainly did that, especially in the first half. I’m happy with that, but there’s still a lot of things to improve.

“We have been discussing this season, the games that we have struggled or dropped points in, especially last season. We knew the challenge today and the level that we’re going to have to show to beat them because they have this spirit and this belief to get results here at home and you could feel that. So what we’ve done, big credit to the boys.

“[Viktor’s] high press, his position and his touches, his threading behind, the way he linked play, the way he got us from this situation to transition moments. I think he was in a really good moment.

“Very good. [Riccardo Calafiori] has been really stable. Some big performances. He has been a big contributor to what we’re doing defensively as well. He gives a lot in attack with his position and his threat. He continues to create chaos for the opposition. Individually, you have to be at your best.”

Hope is something Arsenal fans have had plenty of in recent title battles, but often been shattered as the Gunners ultimately fell short.

This season, however, feels different.

Saturday’s 2-0 win at Burnley was their fifth in a row in the Premier League that moved them seven points clear in top spot, albeit having played a game more than some of those below them.

The victory also put pressure on traditional rivals such as Manchester City – who are nine points behind and host second-placed Bournemouth on Sunday – and Liverpool, who Aston Villa later on Saturday 10 off the pace.

It is, of course, still early days but could this finally be Arsenal’s year after a 22-year wait and finishing runners-up for the past three seasons?

BBC Sport takes a look at why their championship charge is looking stronger than ever.

Strength from set-pieces

Burnley achieved promotion from the Championship last season on the back of a formidable defensive record, conceding just 16 goals in 46 games to highlight just how resolute they can be.

That was evident on Saturday, but when Mikel Arteta’s men were faced with disciplined and organised defensive lines that made scoring from open play difficult, set-pieces became crucial once more.

Arsenal excel in this area with their opener at Turf Moor coming from a corner – their eighth in this fashion during this league campaign, the most ever by a team in their first 10 games of a campaign.

In total, 12 of their 18 league goals this season have come from dead-ball situations – more than any other side in the top flight and the highest ratio by any team in a single Premier League season.

“I can’t see a weakness,” former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer told BBC Sport.

“They’ve scored again from a set-piece but there’s been so much more than that in the performance. I like the way they’re using [Riccardo] Calafiori and [Jurrien] Timber in advanced positions to create overloads and win set-piece opportunities.”

A near-impenetrable defence

You have to go back to 28 September against Newcastle for the last time Arsenal conceded – but still fought back to win 2-1.

They have not let in a goal in the seven games since then, although came within inches of seeing that run ended when Burnley’s Marcus Edwards hit the post from a free-kick in the final seconds.

Despite that late scare, the 2-0 win meant Arsenal had kept a clean sheet in seven consecutive matches in all competitions for the first time since doing so between March and April 1999 (also a run of seven).

Next up is a trip to Slavia Prague in the Champions League on Tuesday. If they can avoid conceding again it will mark only the second time in the club’s history they will have kept teams out for eight games in a row, having previously managed it back in 1903.

But Arsenal are also not giving up chances and have faced just one shot on target in their last four league games.

Burnley away was also a fixture where Arsenal teams of recent seasons might have got bullied in a physical battle, but they are standing up to such challenges now.

Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha said: “When I first started doing punditry in 2021, Arsenal’s biggest failing was they are a bit soft-centered, you could almost bully them.

“Now you look at the way they can play. If it needs to be a fight, it will be a fight. If it needs to be a footballing game it can be a footballing game.

“People don’t want to be classed as favourites for anything at this part of the season. There is a lot of pressure that comes with that. For the Arsenal side, three years in a row they have finished second, why not have the belief they can finish first?”

Strength in depth

Arsenal spent around £250m on strengthening their squad this summer and are starting to see the benefits of having more depth.

They already have a sizeable injury list with forwards Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz having been out long term, while captain Martin Odegaard and Noni Madueke are also currently sidelined.

But the players who have stepped in have more than contributed to Arsenal’s superb run of form, taking the pressure off the Gunners to rush players back.

“The depth that they have, if somebody drops out it’s the next person up,” added Onuoha.

“Ultimately this is why they are being classed as favourites because they are in a great position.”

Faltering rivals

Boss Arteta has previously cited timing as a reason for Arsenal having not won the Premier League since he took charge in 2019.

In May he pointed out Liverpool won the Premier League last season with fewer points than the Gunners had managed in the previous two campaigns.

But the timing seems right for them this term, with their strong run of form coming while their rivals have faltered.

Liverpool made an exceptional start with five Premier League wins in a row, but have now lost their last four games.

Manchester City, meanwhile, have been relatively inconsistent with five wins, three losses and a draw so far.

While Arsenal fans may start to believe, none of the teams who have been top at this stage have gone on to win the title in the past six seasons.

“Arsenal are reliable, you can trust them,” former Manchester United defender Gary Neville said on Sky Sports. “This is your title, Arsenal. I’ve never really felt that sure before, it’s so early in the season, but it really is [yours].

“That’s not being overconfident, or placing pressure. Arsenal must feel it themselves. This is the moment Arsenal can get back to [winning the title]. The chance is there for them; they have to take it.”

Arsenal are on a roll. They have not tasted defeat in their last nine matches in all competitions. Across their last seven games, they have not shipped a single goal. In their last five matches, they have conceded just four shots on target.

Many laughed when the stat was revealed that they were on course to beat Chelsea’s remarkable record of 15 goals conceded in a single Premier League season but they truly are the most solid and reliable defensive outfit in Europe.

Mikel Arteta’s men have been imperious at the back over the last couple of campaigns, but they have, much to the dismay of opposing forward lines, got even better in 2025/26.

While Burnley were never going to pose Arsenal their toughest test of this season, they had to be wary as they travelled to Turf Moor.

Their second half display was a tired one but ultimately the Gunners left Lancashire with all three points, winning 2-0 courtesy of goals from Viktor Gyokeres and Declan Rice.

Gyokeres was withdrawn at half-time due to injury but up to that point he was brilliant, not just scoring but creating two big chances and supplying three key passes.

He was everywhere; it was the Swede’s most complete performance in an Arsenal shirt yet. However, there are two men who just continue to be at the centre of everything good the Gunners do.

Gabriel influences things again at Turf Moor
Can you name a better defender in Europe right now than Gabriel? Arguably not.

After Arsenal beat Crystal Palace a week ago, Jamie Carragher commented that the big Brazilian was the most influential player in the Premier League.

Only three defenders, Virgil van Dijk, John Terry and Paul McGrath have ever been crowned the division’s best player in a campaign, but Gabriel certainly deserves to be in the conversation.

He is in the form of his life, scoring twice and registering three assists across his last eight games in all competitions.

While the 27-year-old did not find the net at Burnley, he did play another vital part in their win. Rice’s corner – of course it was – found the centre-back at the back post. He knocked the ball into the path of Gyokeres who from a few yards out found the net.

Gabriel has made a habit of popping up from set-pieces in recent years, but notably in the last couple of months has become more inspiring than ever. Who could forget that crashing late winner at St James’ Park?

While he always pops up in the final third, he’s a damn good defender too. Burnley didn’t pose a huge threat on Saturday but Arsenal’s number 6 was dominant nonetheless, completing 93% of his passes, winning 100% of his five duels and making a whopping nine clearances.

He’s clearly been one of Arsenal’s best players this season but has he been the best? The club’s record signing may have a thing or two to say about that.

Arsenal’s most influential player vs Burnley
The likes of Gyokeres and Gabriel certainly stood out during Arsenal’s trip up north but the best player on the pitch by a country mile was Rice.

The £105m addition was merely a defensive midfielder when he signed from West Ham United in 2023 but he has taken his game to new levels, particularly during 2025.

No player has created more chances in the Premier League than Rice this calendar year and a large part of that has been due to his impeccable set-play delivery.

The England international was again on hand in that regard on Saturday, supplying the pre-assist from a corner for Gyokeres’ goal. It backed up claims in recent weeks that he is now one of the best over a dead ball. Indeed, Sky Sports reporter Sam Blitz stated after Rice popped up to assist the opening goal in the 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid that he is now “the best set-piece taker in world football.”

Yet, he’s not just a fine set-piece taker. He’s a goalscorer, a box crasher and one of the most well-rounded midfielders not just in the country, but in Europe. His display at Turf Moor was described as a “monster performance” by The Standard’s Simon Collings at full-time.

Rice found the net with a brilliant header from Leandro Trossard’s first-half cross but his influence was felt far beyond that.

No player from either side registered more than his 94 touches and only William Saliba (80) completed more than Rice’s tally of 63 passes.

He also won nine of his 14 duels to cement himself as “one of the world’s best” in the words of Arsenal podcaster Rohan Jivan.

It’s rare a transfer fee that eclipses £100m feels like a bargain but in Rice’s case that certainly proves to be true. He is very much rivalling Gabriel for the honour of the best player in the Premier League this season.

Arsenal took on Burnley away from home in the Premier League this weekend and came away with all three points in a 2-0 win. One man was very much the star of the show.

Burnley started with confidence, but when the ball went out for a corner in the 14th minute, Arsenal took control. Declan Rice’s cross was met by Gabriel, who kept the ball alive at the far post, allowing Viktor Gyokeres to head in from close range.

Before half-time, it was 2-0 to Mikel Arteta’s side. This time, the away team executed a fine counterattack, with Leandro Trossard eventually finding Declan Rice, who met the cross with perfect timing to double his team’s lead.

Gyokeres Dazzles vs Burnley

Eyebrows were raised when Arteta started 17-year-old Andre Harriman-Annous vs Brighton in the mid-week game but the youngster impressed. Not only did he help Arsenal win that match 2-0 but he also took valuable off from Gyokeres.

The Swedish striker has had to be the main striker for the Gunners this season, starting ever league and Champions League game so far, with Kai Havertz injured. As such, he’s looked a little tired and leggy at times. With this in mind, it was a stroke of genius from Arteta to play Harriman-Annous during the mid-week.

Against Burnley, Gyokeres looked fresh and was fantastic as a result. Not only did he score his goal, but he ran the Burnley defenders ragged with his excellent centre-forward play, and played a key role in the build-up to the second goal. In fact, some were convinced that it was his best outing for the club so far.

Journalist Charles Watts claimed as much online, as he wrote: “That’s Viktor Gyokeres’ best 45 minutes in an Arsenal shirt by a distance. Got his goal obviously, but his hold and link-up play has been excellent. Everything has been sticking and his pass in the build-up to Rice’s goal was exquisite.”

On a similar theme, fellow journalist Sam Dean added:

“This has surely been the best half of football that Vikor Gyokeres has played for Arsenal, and probably by some distance? Holding it up, switching play, finding through balls.”

The only negative was that Gyokeres had to go off at half-time. For now, it remains unclear quite what the issue was. But it’s a testament to his quality that they didn’t look as fluid in the second half without the Swede leading the line.

Arsenal Fans Blown Away By Gyokeres ‘Masterclass’

During the match, Arsenal fans would not help but make their feelings on their player’s performance clear. One wrote:

“Top performance. Winning 2-0 but should be at least 4-0 up. Created more than enough to be comfortably winning. Gyokeres’ best performance so far, no surprise it’s come after a week where he’s had a full rest. It’s probably something they’re gonna have to be wary of going forward.”

Another said: “It’s been a Gyokeres masterclass.”

On his pass before Rice’s goal, one more added: “My mouth was open. I did not expect that.” Another called it: “Gerrard-esque.”

One fan said: “Just take a look at that switch of play from Gyokeres to setup Rice’s goal. Special footballer.” Another wrote: “Excellent. He keeps getting better and better. The goal was a Gyokeres goal, but did you see his pass for the Rice one? Elite stuff.”

Another said: “What has Mikel Arteta given Gyokeres to eat today. That ball is outrageous.”

Finally, one summed things up, saying: “Amazing performance by Gyokeres, hopefully he’s not injured. Should’ve had an assist or two.”

Arsenal took on Burnley away from home in the Premier League this weekend and came away with all three points in a 2-0 win. One man was very much the star of the show.

Burnley started with confidence, but when the ball went out for a corner in the 14th minute, Arsenal took control. Declan Rice’s cross was met by Gabriel, who kept the ball alive at the far post, allowing Viktor Gyokeres to head in from close range.

Before half-time, it was 2-0 to Mikel Arteta’s side. This time, the away team executed a fine counterattack, with Leandro Trossard eventually finding Declan Rice, who met the cross with perfect timing to double his team’s lead.

Gyokeres Dazzles vs Burnley

Eyebrows were raised when Arteta started 17-year-old Andre Harriman-Annous vs Brighton in the mid-week game but the youngster impressed. Not only did he help Arsenal win that match 2-0 but he also took valuable off from Gyokeres.

The Swedish striker has had to be the main striker for the Gunners this season, starting ever league and Champions League game so far, with Kai Havertz injured. As such, he’s looked a little tired and leggy at times. With this in mind, it was a stroke of genius from Arteta to play Harriman-Annous during the mid-week.

Against Burnley, Gyokeres looked fresh and was fantastic as a result. Not only did he score his goal, but he ran the Burnley defenders ragged with his excellent centre-forward play, and played a key role in the build-up to the second goal. In fact, some were convinced that it was his best outing for the club so far.

Journalist Charles Watts claimed as much online, as he wrote: “That’s Viktor Gyokeres’ best 45 minutes in an Arsenal shirt by a distance. Got his goal obviously, but his hold and link-up play has been excellent. Everything has been sticking and his pass in the build-up to Rice’s goal was exquisite.”

On a similar theme, fellow journalist Sam Dean added:

“This has surely been the best half of football that Vikor Gyokeres has played for Arsenal, and probably by some distance? Holding it up, switching play, finding through balls.”

The only negative was that Gyokeres had to go off at half-time. For now, it remains unclear quite what the issue was. But it’s a testament to his quality that they didn’t look as fluid in the second half without the Swede leading the line.

Arsenal Fans Blown Away By Gyokeres ‘Masterclass’

During the match, Arsenal fans would not help but make their feelings on their player’s performance clear. One wrote:

“Top performance. Winning 2-0 but should be at least 4-0 up. Created more than enough to be comfortably winning. Gyokeres’ best performance so far, no surprise it’s come after a week where he’s had a full rest. It’s probably something they’re gonna have to be wary of going forward.”

Another said: “It’s been a Gyokeres masterclass.”

On his pass before Rice’s goal, one more added: “My mouth was open. I did not expect that.” Another called it: “Gerrard-esque.”

One fan said: “Just take a look at that switch of play from Gyokeres to setup Rice’s goal. Special footballer.” Another wrote: “Excellent. He keeps getting better and better. The goal was a Gyokeres goal, but did you see his pass for the Rice one? Elite stuff.”

Another said: “What has Mikel Arteta given Gyokeres to eat today. That ball is outrageous.”

Finally, one summed things up, saying: “Amazing performance by Gyokeres, hopefully he’s not injured. Should’ve had an assist or two.”

Viktor Gyokeres was substituted at half-time during Arsenal’s clash with Burnley – sparking fears that he may be injured.

The Swedish striker opened the scoring in the first half and had put in arguably his finest performance in a Gunners shirt to date, also playing a key roll in the build-up to a second goal by Declan Rice, with a fine pass. But he didn’t emerge for the second half, as he was replaced by Mikel Merino.

That followed him catching a stray elbow in the face from Clarets midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu in an aerial duel shortly before the break.

Arsenal fans were left fearing the worst, with one saying: “Have to say, Gyokeres was having his best game in an Arsenal shirt. The runs he makes for the team are fantastic and brings so much more than his goal tally states.” A second fan said: “A shame for Gyokeres to go off. That was his best half of football in an Arsenal shirt.”

Another wrote: “That Gyokeres injury means we now have 6 attackers out – Havertz, Jesus, Madueke, Odegaard, Martinelli and Gyokeres. No matter how much depth you have you can’t absorb that. We need bodies back ASAP”

However, other fans speculated it was “only a minor nose injury” and a precautionary measure by manager Mikel Arteta. One fan said: “Hopefully, that’s just precautionary for Gyokeres. Took a whack in the face first half didn’t he? God knows we can’t take another attacking injury. Big shame after he was fantastic in the first half and had just broken his league goal drought.”

Another Gunners supporter said: “It’s a shame because he was playing so well, but no point taking any risks when he’s our only striker at the moment.”

Gyokeres had opened the scoring after 14 minutes when he nodded in from close range as Arsenal once again capitalised from a corner kick. Gabriel Magalhaes won the first ball before Gyokeres cleaned up the play to get on the scoresheet.

The Gunners went on to take advantage of a Burnley set piece to extend their lead. Gyokeres was again involved as he drove the visitors forward on the break. The Swede provided an incisive ball to Leandro Trossard, who crossed in for Declan Rice to head home on 35 minutes.

His goal against Burnley was his fourth Premier League strike of the season, ending a five-game goal drought in the league.

Next up for Arsenal is a trip away to Slavia Praha in the Champions League on Tuesday, before the title hopefuls travel to Sunderland next weekend.

Martin Zubimendi’s booking, described as “soft” by fans and pundits, means he will serve a one-match suspension before returning for the home clash with Bayern Munich.

Martin Zubimendi will miss Arsenal’s next Champions League match away to Slavia Prague on 4 November after receiving his third yellow card of the competition during the 4-0 win over Atlético Madrid.

The midfielder was booked in the 38th minute in what most observers described as a harsh decision following a challenge on Nicolás González. Italian referee Davide Massa wasted no time in showing him a yellow card, prompting visible irritation from both Zubimendi and Mikel Arteta on the touchline.

It was Zubimendi’s third caution in as many European appearances, following earlier bookings against Olympiacos and Athletic Club. Under UEFA regulations, three yellow cards in the league phase trigger an automatic one-match suspension, ruling him out of next week’s trip to Prague.

With Arsenal expected to rotate for what looks their least demanding fixture of the league phase anyway, Zubimendi will return for the home game against Bayern Munich on 26 November.

Fans and pundits alike criticised Massa’s decision, calling it “soft” and “inconsistent” compared to earlier incidents in the match, particularly Koke‘s awful tackle on Bukayo Saka in the first minute which didn’t see yellow. Spanish outlet AS described the challenge as “minimal contact at best”, while supporters noted Zubimendi’s frustration as he walked away shaking his head.

The Spaniard has been instrumental in Arsenal’s strong start to the season, operating as the deep-lying pivot in Arteta’s midfield, dictating tempo. His absence is likely to open the door for Christian Nørgaard or Myles Lewis-Skelly to step in against Slavia, as Arteta continues to manage the workload across his squad.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided a double injury update ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash against Burnley at Turf Moor.

The Gunners have had an impressive start to the campaign. They have already picked up 22 points from their opening nine league matches.

The club have a handy four-point lead at the top of the table, and have an opportunity to extend the advantage with a victory over the Clarets.

Ahead of the game, Arteta has provided some disappointing news on the injury front.

The Spanish tactician revealed that Martinelli is still on the sidelines, but William Saliba will need to be assessed ahead of the trip to Lancashire.

He told Arsenal.com: “Martinelli is still out, Saliba we have to wait and see.”

When asked further about a potential timescale for Martinelli’s return, Arteta added: “We don’t know yet, but I think this game is going to come too early for him.”

Martinelli has had a brilliant start to the 2025/26 season with the Gunners. He has bagged four goals and one assist from just 491 minutes across all competitions.

The £40 million-rated star was knocking on the door for a starting spot in the Premier League, but he has now been sidelined with an unfortunate muscle injury.

Martinelli, described as ‘electric‘ by Arsenal.com, won’t be available for Saturday’s visit to Turf Moor. In his absence, Leandro Trossard is poised to start on the left wing.

The Belgian has made five-straight starts in the English top-flight this campaign, and he is expected to continue on the left wing unless Arteta has a surprise in store.

The manager could play Eberechi Eze on the left flank with Ethan Nwaneri in the number 10 role, but that seems unlikely to happen. He is likely to bank on Trossard’s experience.

Trossard has a good record against the Clarets. He scored and provided an assist at Turf Moor during the 2023/24 season, and replicated the feat (goal & assist) at the Emirates Stadium.

Meanwhile, Arteta may not take any risks with Saliba’s fitness. If he is not deemed fully fit, Cristhian Mosquera could partner Gabriel Martinelli in the heart of the defence tomorrow.