Arsenal close out their Premier League home fixtures by hosting Burnley at the Emirates this evening. The Gunners are two wins away from winning the league (and a third win from adding the Champions League to the haul). It’s a simple task, really: beat the club 19th in the table at home then beat the 15th place Crystal Palace team that will be focused on their cup final three days later.
Burnley don’t seem to have packed it in quite yet, though. They drew Aston Villa 2-2 last weekend and held Manchester
City to a 1-0 three weeks ago in the match that ultimately sealed their relegation fate. I’m sure they’d enjoy spoiling things for Arsenal.
The Clarets haven’t been great on the road in the Premier League this season — only Wolves (5) have picked up fewer away points than Burnley (9). They’ve conceded 45 goals on their travels, the most in the division. They have failed to score in four of their last five PL matches against Arsenal, including being held without a shot on target in the reverse fixture this season. Burnley have scored in 17 of their last 20 Premier League away matches.
Slightly worryingly, Arsenal have failed to score in two of their last three home games against Burnley in all competitions. The Gunners have managed a 14-4-1 record against Burnley over 19 Premier League meetings between the clubs and have only conceded 9 goals to Burnley in those matches combined. Arsenal won the reverse fixture 2-0 with first half goals from Viktor Gyokeres and Declan Rice.
Arsenal are rightly heavy favorites to win today but that doesn’t do much to help the nerves, does it? When I’m able to settle my stomach enough to think coherently, my gut is telling me the lads will want to put on a show for the supporters in the final home match of the season. I think the supporters will lift the team, as they’ve done all season, with a rousing send off into the finale at Crystal Palace and the Champions League final.
All that matters for Arsenal are the three points. It’d be nice to pad the goal difference a bit in case of a disastrous draw against Crystal Palace, but goal difference won’t come into play if the Gunners win their final two matches.
The Gunners will be without Ben White, who suffered a season-ending knee injury against West Ham. The right back won’t need surgery but will miss the World Cup. Riccardo Calafiori is a doubt after coming off last weekend with a bit of a knock. Mikel Merino is out but may rejoin the squad for the Palace match. It seems likely he’ll be available to come off the bench in the CL at the end of the month. Jurrien Timber’s status is a bit murkier. That might be intentional from Mikel Arteta and the club to throw PSG off the scent. It doesn’t seem as if Timber will play in the two remaining Premier League matches but he might make it back for the CL.
Burnley will be without Jordan Beyer and Josh Cullen. Hannibal Mejbri is a doubt.
Lineups will be posted when available.
WHO: Arsenal vs Burnley
WHAT: Premier League MD37
WHERE: The Emirates
WHEN: Monday, May 18th, 12:00pm PT | 3:00 pm ET | 8:00pm GMT
HOW TO WATCH: Broadcast on USA Network
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