23 January 2022, 11:00
Having gone out of the League Cup semi-finals against Liverpool in mid-week, Arsenal may feel relieved to finally get back to Premier League action after recent postponements. What better way – in theory – to be eased back in than a home game against the team at the very bottom of the table as well. But Sean Dyche’s Burnley remain no pushovers for any opponents.
Are Burnley in a false position?
This is a question some are wondering, not because they don’t deserve to be the relegation zone due to a recent run of poor results, but that they do have three games in hand over the teams above them (five if we look at their 17 compared to Norwich’s 22). Games involving Burnley are usually close as well – they haven’t been completely dominated by many teams this season, often losing games by the odd goal.
For this reason, Arsenal should be wary going into this home game. While their record against teams in the bottom half is almost perfect this season, memories of the opening day defeat to Brentford should remind everyone what can happen if you don’t treat opponents with the appropriate amount of respect.
Both teams affected by absences
Arsenal still have some players at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, including Nicolas Pepe and Mohamed Elneny. Aubameyang has returned to the club but it remains to be seen when he will next be involved in the first team following his recent heart-related issue at that tournament and fallout with manager Mikel Arteta. Midfielders Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka are also currently suspended.
According to Sean Dyche, Burnley appear to be in a worse position with only 16 first team players available. Multiple players have only just returned to training after recovering from Covid including Erik Pieters, Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Dwight McNeil. It’s likely not the ideal preparation the Burnley manager would have wanted prior to a trip to the Emirates, but with their fixture backlog starting to pile up, they don’t have many options for more postponements.
Can Burnley nonetheless manage to pull off a shock against all odds? The Gunners will hope not, but we can take nothing in the Premier League for granted.