Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal will head to Turf Moor this weekend looking to strengthen their grip on the Premier League summit, as Mikel Arteta’s in-form side prepare for what could prove another crucial moment in the title race.
The Gunners are set to play their third game in just six days, with Arteta expected to rotate his squad once again after resting several key players during the midweek Carabao Cup win over Brighton.
Despite the changes, Arsenal showed no signs of slowing down, second-half goals from Ethan Nwaneri and substitute Bukayo Saka sealed a comfortable 2–0 victory and extended their winning streak to eight matches across all competitions.
Attention now turns back to league duties, where Arsenal currently sit four points clear of second-placed Bournemouth at the top of the table. Another win could see them extend that advantage, but Burnley are unlikely to roll over easily.
READ MORE: Mikel Arteta provides injury update on William Saliba ahead of Burnley clash
The newly promoted side have lost only once at home in the Premier League this season, a dramatic stoppage-time defeat to Liverpool, decided by a Mohamed Salah penalty.
Arteta will once again be forced to navigate injury concerns within his squad. The Arsenal boss revealed that defender William Saliba faces a late fitness test after sustaining an ankle injury in last weekend’s 1–0 win over Crystal Palace, a match that also saw Gabriel Martinelli suffer a thigh problem. The Brazilian forward has been ruled out for the trip to Burnley, while Saliba’s condition will be assessed further ahead of kickoff.
Arsenal - Gabriel Martinelli
Gabriel Martinelli (Image credit: Getty Images)
Both players missed Wednesday’s Carabao Cup clash, where Arsenal advanced to the quarter-finals. Martinelli’s issue occurred during the win at Selhurst Park, although he managed to complete the match, he was seen limping down the tunnel afterward. Saliba, meanwhile, was withdrawn at half-time after picking up his knock.
The Palace victory had initially raised deeper concerns for the Gunners, with Declan Rice and Riccardo Calafiori also taken off and Bukayo Saka battling illness in the build-up. However, all three returned to the squad against Brighton, with Rice and Saka coming off the bench, the latter scoring Arsenal’s second goal while Calafiori remained an unused substitute.
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Speaking on Friday, Arteta provided an update on his squad’s condition ahead of the Turf Moor encounter. “No, I think we have the same ones. Martinelli is still out. Saliba, we have to wait and see,” he said. “We have another training session this afternoon. The rest are still getting closer. I think in the right direction, but they are not available yet.”
When pressed for more detail on Martinelli’s recovery, Arteta added: “We don’t know yet, but I think this game is going to come too early for him.”
Despite the fitness setbacks, Arsenal will look to continue their dominant run of form and maintain their place at the Premier League summit as they take on a resilient Burnley side on Saturday afternoon.
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