Following their deeply disappointing 7-0 defeat away to Liverpool last weekend, Arsenal U21s will be presented with an opportunity to bounce back when they host Burnley on Friday night.
It is anticipated that coach Max Porter will have a stronger and, perhaps most significantly, more balanced squad at his disposal for this game which should boost Arsenal’s chances of victory.
The likes of Jack Porter, Ife Ibrahim and Andre Harriman-Annous didn’t feature for the U21s last weekend due to their involvement against Manchester City in the FA Youth Cup the previous night.
However, it is likely that the trio will all be available against Burnley and there will be an added incentive for players to impress as they look to be included in the first-team matchday squad to face Kairat.
Arsenal are currently in 20th place out of 29 teams in the Premier League 2 table but they have played a game fewer than some of the teams around them.
Burnley, meanwhile, are in 26th spot having taken just seven points from eleven games.
They were thrashed 8-1 by Manchester City earlier this month but did manage to register a 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur in their next fixture.
This will be Arsenal’s first home game in Premier League 2 since October and although it is unlikely to be a straightforward task it seems like a good chance to potentially secure a much-needed victory.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird