Arsenal vs. Burnley match thread: we’re going streaking!

Arsenal have Burnley’s number. The Gunners beat them 3-1 twice last season. They’ve won 10 straight against the Clarets in all competitions. They haven’t lost to Burnley since 2008. They haven’t lost to them in the league since 1974. All the trends say this one should go Arsenal’s way.

But of course, that’s why they play the games, and for Arsenal, this is one of those proverbial “trap games,” if you believe those exist. The Gunners are away to Liverpool next week and home to Tottenham the week after. It would be easy to overlook an opponent like the Clarets. But Burnley could be tricky. Striker Ashley Barnes scored a brace last week and has scored the fourth most league goals this calendar year. Nick Pope has the second highest save percentage over the last four Premier League seasons. The Clarets absolutely rolled Southampton 3-0 last week. Things could get a little tricky today.

It’s a day of firsts at the Emirates: David Luiz is making his first appearance and start in an Arsenal kit and Dani Ceballos is making his first start. Mesut Özil, who returned to training this week alongside Sead Kolašinac following their security scares, is not in the matchday squad as he recovers from illness (the Bosnian made the bench). Granit Xhaka is unavailable due to lower back and leg bruising.

LINEUPS:
Arsenal - Leno, Maitland-Niles, David Luiz, Sokratis, Monreal, Ceballos, Guendouzi, Willock, Aubameyang, Nelson, Lacazette

Burnley - Pope, Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Pieters, Gudmundsson, Cork, Westwood, McNeil, Wood, Barnes

WHAT: Arsenal vs. Burnley

WHERE: Emirates Stadium

WHEN: Saturday, August 17th, 4:30 AM PT | 7:30 AM ET | 12:30 PM BST

US TV: NBCSN. Stream here.

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