Arsenal vs. Burnley: Premier League - Predicted Lineup & Bench

As the January transfer window closes the club turns its attention to Burnley and Arsenal’s trip to Turf Moor on Sunday. The Gunners secured Pablo Mari, a left-footed centerback, on loan from Brazilian side Flamengo. Then the backline was further reinforced through another loan for Southampton right-back Cedric Soares. Welcome additions for the Arsenal defense to see out the 2019/20 season.

It will be interesting to see how Mikel Arteta works both of them into the 18 in the coming weeks - and where Ainsley Maitland-Niles is used. The club’s team report confirmed that Calum Chambers, Kieran Tierney, and Reiss Nelson are ruled out, while Sead Kolasinac and Shkodran Mustafi look doubtful.

Burnley currently sit 13th in the Premier League and have recently beaten Manchester United and Leicester City so expect a tough test. Check out the gallery below for the predicted starting XI versus Burnley.

Grid View

• Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
• Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
• Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
• Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
• Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
• Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
• Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
• Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
• Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images
• Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
• Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Notes on XI

• Let’s get straight to the week’s biggest decision - Martinelli. Aubameyang is straight back into the XI, Pepe has been showing lots of promise under Arteta’s leadership, and Ozil has reclaimed the #10 spot for Premier League matches. That leaves room for one more in the attacking front four - the more senior Lacazette or the more in-form Matinelli. Alexandre is the safe choice, but Martinelli has done more than enough to deserve a spot here. Sunday will tell us a lot on how far he has progressed in how Mikel regards his role at the moment.
• Against a solid Burnley side Lucas Torreira offers more protection and should get the start after Willock and Guendouzi were in the XI for the FA Cup tie on Monday,
• On the backline Saka has proven to be a great LB option covering for injuries. Kolasinac is close to a return, but probably is held back until after the break. On the other side Bellerin continues his return to form, while Maitland-Niles sits on the bench as the catch-all backup.
• Sokratis, Luiz and Leno anchor the defense, with Holding on the bench. No spot yet for the two new arrivals.

Bench

1. Emiliano Martinez
2. Rob Holding
3. Ainsley Maitland-Niles
4. Mattéo Guendouzi
5. Joe Willock
6. Eddie Nketiah
7. Alexandre Lacazette

How to watch

Sunday (2/2) at 9:00 am ET / 6:0 am PT on NBC Sports.