Arsenal v Burnley Preview, Betting Tips and Predictions

Emirates Stadium - Premier League

With Arsene Wenger's last hope of a European trophy with Arsenal in tatters, his side looks to keep Burnley at bay in Sunday's Premier League fixture. The Clarets sit just three points off the Gunners although have failed to win their last three games.

Past Meetings

Bizarrely, the last three meetings between Arsenal and Burnley have all seen the Gunners score a winning goal in injury time. In the last two encounters, these goals took the form of an Alexis Sanchez penalty, and with their talismanic winger now playing for Manchester United, Wenger's side may need someone else to step forward come the 90th minute.

Team News

A torn hamstring for Arsenal captain Laurent Koscielny may see the French defender miss the World Cup, meaning that Jack Wilshire is likely to take the armband again on Sunday. Mohamed Elneny should return in time for the tournament, although is unlikely to play again under Wenger. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang may start, after Alexandre Lacazette failed to impress on Thursday.

Central defender Ben Mee looks set to miss out again for Burnley, meaning Kevin Long, who has impressed in Mee's absence, is expected to start again. Chris Wood is also a doubt, and would be a major loss for Sean Dyche's side, who would bring in Sam Vokes in order to maintain their formation.

Arsenal v Burnley Preview and Predictions

Arsenal have a good record against the Clarets, and haven't lost to them in a decade. This comes as somewhat of a surprise, especially recently, as Burnley are precisely the type of team that Wenger's side struggles against, defensive, physical and well organised.

Sunday's game see's Burnley travel to the Emirates with seventh place locked down, and needing a win if they are to stand any chance of overtaking Arsenal. Unfortunately for Dyche's side, they only really know one way of playing, by shutting down the opposition, and hitting them hard through their strike due of Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood. Against a possession-based side like Arsenal, they will have to make sure that they stick to their game plan, rather than trying to out-gun the Gunners in an attempt to grab the three points.

Wenger will be bitterly disappointed to have been knocked out of the Europa League on Thursday, with the dream of ending his illustrious Arsenal career with a trophy now shattered. Furthermore, with a Champions League spot out of reach, he is unable to do what he garnered so much praise for over the past decade, keep his side in the top four. It will be hard, therefore, to raise his player's heads, many of whom won't want another season in the Europa League, and who will be both mentally and physically fatigued after their loss.

However, Sunday offers an opportunity for the Arsenal players to prove many of their doubters wrong. Against Atletico Madrid, they received criticism for a lack of initiative, and a failure to take responsibility. Mesut Ozil in particular was singled out for a poor performance, although many players failed to step up. With a new manager coming in over the summer, beating Burnley would be a good audition for the players' new boss, and would allow them to end the week with their heads held high.

Recommended Bets

Henrikh Mkhitaryan to score anytime at 2/1
The substitute looked dangerous when he came on against Atletico, and should start on Sunday.

A draw at half-time, Arsenal to win at full-time at 10/3.
Arsenal have been drawing at half-time only to win in their last four games against Burnley.