Arsenal return to Premier League action for the first time since New Years Day against Burnley

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Following their Carabao Cup exit, Mikel Arteta’s side will look to keep up in the race for the top four with a win over lowly Clarets.  

For the first time in quite some time, the gunners have appeared to have their mojo back. Maybe not quite invincibles 2003/2004 mojo but something more reminiscent of the team that would regularly finish in the top four until a few seasons ago. 

However, an early FA Cup exit at Nottingham Forest followed by a semi-final defeat over two legs against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup was enough to ensure that this season would end trophy-less for the Gunners. 

Perhaps that isn’t the worst thing that could have occurred though, as this means that Arsenal have a straight run-in of Premier League games with a genuine shot of regaining Champions League football. Not many people at the start of the season would have predicted Arsenal to return to Europe’s elite competition, and as such, it would be a great success if they could achieve that. 

After three straight cup outings, Arsenal return to Premier League action for the first time since they put on a valiant performance against an imperious Manchester City side on New Year’s Day. So, after a disappointing exit from both cup competitions, Arteta’s side return to the bread and butter of the Premier League with arguably the most ideal fixture as they host bottom side, Burnley. 

Now, don’t be fooled by the damning label of ‘bottom side’. Burnley have only played 17 Premier League games so far this season as a result of postponements. That is two less than any other team and in some cases five less than some of their rivals. 

However, that does not alter-ate the fact that Burnley have not been the stubborn side of previous years under Sean Dyche, or at least not with as much success. The issue for the Clarets has been that in those games where they have shown that typical Burnley grit and determination, they have only been able to acquire a singular point. 

This is reflected upon by Burnley’s remarkable EIGHT draws from their 17 games, with only one win to show for the remaining games. As a result, Burnley find themselves in a rather precarious position this season, games in hand or not. This is despite the fact that their draws have been ‘good points’ against superior opposition. However, when you can not convert any of these into victories, you are always set to struggle. 

Arsenal will see this as an opportunity to get back into their goal-scoring groove, having scored 14 goals in the four league games prior to their meeting with Manchester City. With Burnley scoring one or less in 16 of their matches in all competitions this season, it will be unsurprising to see the Gunners on the front foot and looking to impose themselves in an attacking sense. 

Without a game in just over two weeks, Burnley will undoubtedly look to absorb the pressure and shut Arsenal out. In any event, this will require Burnley to work incredibly hard, and whilst they are no strangers to that, this could take its toll due to their inactivity over the December/January period. 

Victory for Arsenal would bring them level on points with 4th place Manchester United, with the Gunners boasting a game in hand. It will be games like this that determine the severity of Arsenal’s Champions League push, and anything less than a win would be a setback for Arteta’s side. 

The phrase ‘would take a point’ gets thrown around a lot and has become somewhat clichéd. However, this is a game in which Burnley would surely be satisfied with a point from going to the Emirates against an Arsenal side who are starting to look more like themselves again. Of course, a win at the Emirates would do Burnley all sorts of favours, but their next home game against Watford could be season-defining, so anything from this game would be a good result. 

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