Burnley FC vs Arsenal Prematch - Not the most convincing XI
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 biggest incentive here.
With Mateo starting one thing looks clear, Mikel Arteta is not going with a defensive mindset to Turf Moor which is interesting and what we fans like to see.
Arsenal were rumored to have received a decent offer from a Qatari club towards the very end of the transfer window for Mesut Ozil, which apparently Ozil as well as Arteta found interesting. Arteta had to reject it thou since there wasn't enough time to find a replacement. Although I can think of two players at the top of my head (Ziyech and Maddison), of course these deals require time, which was very short. Since Mesut is now staying till the end of the season at least, we fans would want to see his full commitment to the team which speaking in his favor, he has been for a long time and has even improved his game since Arteta's arrival.
Aubameyang starts on the right which is a bit strange since we know is not his best position but as seen in the past, he might be moving towards the center and making a front two with Lacazette when attacking. We will have wait and see since it's the first time Arteta has started this combination of forwards and it's still not perfectly clear what sort of a strategy Arteta has opted for with this front three.
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 biggest incentive here.
With Mateo starting one thing looks clear, Mikel Arteta is not going with a defensive mindset to Turf Moor which is interesting and what we fans like to see.
Arsenal were rumored to have received a decent offer from a Qatari club towards the very end of the transfer window for Mesut Ozil, which apparently Ozil as well as Arteta found interesting. Arteta had to reject it thou since there wasn't enough time to find a replacement. Although I can think of two players at the top of my head (Ziyech and Maddison), of course these deals require time, which was very short. Since Mesut is now staying till the end of the season at least, we fans would want to see his full commitment to the team which speaking in his favor, he has been for a long time and has even improved his game since Arteta's arrival.
Aubameyang starts on the right which is a bit strange since we know is not his best position but as seen in the past, he might be moving towards the center and making a front two with Lacazette when attacking. We will have wait and see since it's the first time Arteta has started this combination of forwards and it's still not perfectly clear what sort of a strategy Arteta has opted for with this front three.
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