Gooner Spice

Is Mikel Arteta still Arsenal's head coach or have we signed Emery back? Because it certainly felt like it. Luck played some part in our draw today which is the only positive for us. Although it was an away game and Burnley have recently won against the likes of Man Utd and Leicester, this game was winnable or at least it should have been less frustrating for us Arsenal fans. Like I said before the kickoff, it wasn't the most convincing lineup we could have started with. Later on, Saka's injury made it even more difficult. There is no official news related to his injury but it seemed muscular even though he had a knee to knee collision early on in the game. Hopefully its not something serious since he will certainly be needed after the international break. The fact that Lacazette and Matteo started the game was a surprise to me since it was certainly a game where Torreira was needed and considering Lacazette's recent poor form, Pepe would have been a much better c...

Mikel Arteta has gone with a blend of consistency, experience, and youth today. I was expecting Lacazette to be dropped today but he has been given another chance to get his form back before the break. Mustafi starts along with Luiz in spite of Sokratis's return. It might just be cautionary as Sokratis just cam from an injury and he can properly recover in the international break. The big surprising change for me is Guendouzi partnering Xhaka in midfield. I am not sure about the Xhaka - Mateo partnership. They both like to carry the ball and if Mateo is starting that puts more defensive pressure on Xhaka's shoulders. In the past we have seen Torreira giving Xhaka proper freedom to roam around, carry the ball occasionally, play his passes risk-free and make defensive contributions when required. Torreira brings out the best in Xhaka's game and so I usually prefer that partnership. On the other hand, Mateo is a promising talent and needs game time so that might be the bigge...

Arsenal face Burnley FC at Turf Moor on Sunday, in a clash which Arsenal will hope to get all 3 points from if they are to keep their top 4 hopes alive. Though things got nervy towards the end, Arsenal won their last game against Bournemouth comfortably and would be hoping to bring that form to Turf Moor as well. On the other hand, Burnley had a pretty encouraging trip to Old Trafford in their last PL game, winning 2-0 against the Red Devils. Though Burnley have not won against the Gunners since March 2010, it will not be a walk-over for Arsenal. Arsenal are unbeaten in their last six Premier League away games, drawing each of the last four in a row. They've not drawn five consecutive away league games since August 1948. Maybe time to break that record? Mikel Arteta has been handed a strong boost ahead of the game with Aubameyang and Luiz back from their suspensions. Also, Mustafi and Kolasinac are back in full training. The latter duo might not feature on Sunday's starti...