Arsenal take on Burnley in their final home game of the Premier League campaign tonight.
The Gunners are currently two points ahead of second-placed Manchester City with two matches left, and the club have their title destiny in their own hands.
A victory over the Clarets should pile pressure on Pep Guardiola’s side ahead of their tricky challenge against in-form Bournemouth on the road tomorrow.
Ahead of the game, we anticipate at least three changes to the starting XI.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted Line-up:
Spanish goalkeeper David Raya has already won the Premier League Golden Glove award with 18 clean sheets and will be eyeing another shutout against the Clarets.
There could be a couple of changes in the backline. Ben White has been ruled out for the season with a knee injury. With Jurrien Timber still nursing a groin problem, Cristhian Mosquera looks poised to start in the right-back position.
Riccardo Calafiori picked up an injury scare in the opening half at West Ham United earlier this month. The Italian ace was spotted back in full training, but manager Mikel Arteta provided an uncertain update in his pre-match presser.
Even if he is deemed fit, Arteta could make a change by reinstating Piero Hincapie on the left side of defence. The Ecuadorian was the club’s Player of the Month last month, but has been limited to substitute roles in recent matches.
He was an unused substitute in the 1-0 win at West Ham, but he could return to the XI. The rest of the backline should stay unchanged. William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are expected to continue in the heart of the club’s defence.
Myles Lewis-Skelly has been in fantastic form since replacing Martin Zubimendi in midfield against Fulham. Zubimendi has had a good debut season, but his intensity and performance levels have undoubtedly dropped in recent months.
The decision to go with Lewis-Skelly has added more intensity in the centre of the park. The Gunners graduate should continue to partner Declan Rice in central midfield, but there could be a change in the number 10 position against Burnley.
Eberechi Eze had a lacklustre showing at the London Stadium. He was replaced by club captain Martin Odegaard shortly after the break. The £30 million signing made the difference with a vital assist for Leandro Trossard’s winning goal. He should be rewarded with a starting role.
Odegaard bagged a goal and an assist in his last meeting against Burnley. His chance creation could be key to picking up a crucial victory. No changes are expected in the front three. Bukayo Saka has been brilliant since his injury comeback and has scored in two of his last three starts on the right wing.
Trossard looked off colour for most of the year but has picked up form recently. He provided an assist for Viktor Gyokeres’ headed goal against Fulham and scored the late winner at West Ham. The Belgian should be a nailed-on starter from the left wing.
Viktor Gyokeres has notched up 21 goals across all competitions for the Gunners this term, with 14 in the league. He was brilliant in the reverse fixture against Burnley with a goal and a brilliant pre-assist before an injury. The Swede should relish facing the Clarets.
How Arsenal could line up vs Burnley
Stats from Transfermarkt.com