Arsenal started the new Premier League season with a 1-0 win over Newcastle United at St James Park and next up they welcome Burnley at home.
During their season opener, Unai Emery missed a number of his key first-team players either due to security concerns or due to injuries which is why he had to name some youngsters in the starting line-up.
Also, the summer signings did not start that game as Nicolas Pepe and Dani Ceballos only came on in the second half.
But that though should not be the case this weekend as the manager is expected to have a full-strength squad.
Arsenal team news vs Burnley:
Hector Bellerin, Mavropanos and Kieran Tierney are all recovering from injuries which means the manager is a bit short-handed in defence.
Against the Magpies, Sokratis and Callum Chambers started in central defence as David Luiz remained on the bench and after the match, Emery explained that he wanted to ease the new signings into the first XI.
And given that the Burnley match is a home game we believe Emery will not want to rush David Luiz back and once again Sokratis and Chambers will be the preferred defensive pairing.
Youngster Willock started in midfield alongside Xhaka and Guenzdouzi but he is expected to make way for summer loanee Dani Ceballos.
Mohamed Elneny featured in the Africa Cup of Nations which is why he had an extended break and Unai Emery has hinted that he will not likely feature vs Burnley.
“Regaining full match fitness following late return from African Cup of Nations. Decision to be made on participation for Sunday.” the manager said.
Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac missed the season opener due to a security threat and after that match, the manager made it clear that the pair will remain at home unless the whole situation is stable.
This means that the pair stand every chance of missing out the Burnley clash and we can only get confirmation of that on Friday.
“The club is managing that circumstance,” said Unai Emery.
“We want to be with them as soon as possible and with normality in training and normality to be ready to play. I don’t know now [if they will play next week].”
Nicolas Pepe came off the bench at St James’ Park last weekend but he is expected to start at home on Saturday replacing Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Alexandre Lacazette also missed that match since he was still not ready after recovering from an injury. But the Frenchman should be deployed upfront vs Burnley.
Arsenal vs Burnley match details:
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Date: Saturday, August 17, 2019
Kick-off time: 12:30 pm BST
Arsenal vs Burnley: Gunners’ predicted line-up
Starting XI: Leno; Monreal, Chambers, Sokratis, Maitland-Niles; Guenzouzi, Xhaka, Ceballos; Aubameyang, Lacazette, Pepe.
