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If there was ever an opportunity to gather up an easy three points, this is it -- lowly Burnley, sitting in 20th place with just four points on nine games, comes to the Emirates as metaphorical lion food for 5th-place Arsenal. As we approach game time, we can look forward to (if reports are to be believed) Theo Walcott making his first return to action in 10 months -- he's part of the bench crew. Also, as a personal/American aside, some Arsenal America fans will be in the house today -- perhaps the NBC Extra Time cameras will find them?
Because the British have a week jump on returning to standard time, kickoff is at 10 rather than the customary 9 am.
In the meantime, Burnley fans maintain an admirable (and Halloween-themed) optimism:
@BurnleyOfficial Our pumpkins are ready for the game tomorrow !!! pic.twitter.com/bCyYnZ1F0e
— Alison Riley (@Alisonjaneriley) October 31, 2014
Your lineups -- for Arsenal, it's Flarteta in the double pivot, the Kos-less/Debuchy-less back four that we've grown accustomed to in recent weeks, and Ox, Santi, and Alexis supporting Welbz upfront. (This is the same lineup we ran out last week, right?)
Arsenal team to play Burnley: Szczesny, Chambers, Mertesacker, Monreal, Gibbs, Flamini, Arteta, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Alexis, Cazorla, Welbeck
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) November 1, 2014
#Arsenal subs: Martinez, Bellerin, Rosicky, Ramsey, Walcott, Podolski, Sanogo #AFCvBFC
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) November 1, 2014
Confirmed #BFC starting XI: Heaton; Ward, Shackell (c), Duff, Trippier; Boyd, Jones, Marney, Arfield; Ings, Sordell #ClaretsLIVE
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) November 1, 2014
Confirmed #BFC subs: Gilks, Wallace, Mee, Kightly, Jutkiewicz, Chalobah, Keane. #ClaretsLIVE
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) November 1, 2014
And hey look! Sanogo's back! See you at 10. Three points!