Arsenal will travel to Turf Moor on Saturday to face Burnley, a ground where they have never lost in the Premier League. Mikel Arteta’s side are in sensational form, coming into this clash with eight straight wins across all competitions. Burnley, however, also have something to smile about after recording back-to-back victories that have boosted their confidence.
Arsenal’s remarkable run continued on Wednesday night as a youthful second-string team defeated Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 in the EFL Cup fourth round. Despite Brighton’s attacking threat — having scored 12 goals in their first two rounds — the Gunners maintained another clean sheet, thanks to goals from Ethan Nwaneri and Bukayo Saka.
October turned out to be a dream month for Arsenal. Not only did they become the first top-flight English team ever to play six matches in a single month without conceding a goal, but they also solidified their place at the top of the Premier League. Their recent 1-0 win over Crystal Palace — coupled with defeats for Liverpool, Manchester City, and Chelsea — gave Arteta’s men a four-point cushion at the summit.
Arsenal could now make more history by winning four straight league matches without conceding for the first time since 2014, when Arteta was still a player. Their record against newly-promoted sides is also impressive — 13 consecutive wins — and they have lost just once in their last 24 Premier League matches against teams that came up from the Championship. That lone defeat came against Nottingham Forest in May 2023.
As for Burnley, history is not on their side. Arsenal have not lost a league game away to the Clarets since 1973, although Burnley did manage a 2008 EFL Cup win over a young Gunners team. The most recent meeting at Turf Moor ended in a 5-0 demolition by Arsenal in 2024.
However, Scott Parker’s men are showing signs of progress. Consecutive wins over Wolves and Leeds have lifted them five points clear of the relegation zone. Their thrilling 3-2 triumph against Wolves last weekend highlighted their growing attacking confidence — they’ve now scored in each of their last six matches across all competitions.
Burnley will need to pull off something extraordinary if they are to stop Arsenal’s charge. The Clarets haven’t beaten a team sitting top of the Premier League since 1975, and facing an Arsenal side this relentless makes that task even tougher.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
Arsenal came through their midweek win over Brighton without any new injury worries, but their victory against Crystal Palace last weekend wasn’t without consequences. Declan Rice, Riccardo Calafiori, William Saliba, and Gabriel Martinelli all picked up minor issues during that match.
Rice and Calafiori have since recovered and are available for selection, but Saliba and Martinelli remain doubtful for Saturday’s trip to Turf Moor. Martinelli is believed to have suffered a muscle problem, which likely means Leandro Trossard will start in his place.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus, Noni Madueke, Martin Odegaard, and Kai Havertz are still sidelined with knee injuries. None of them are expected to return before the international break, though Odegaard, Madueke, and Havertz could be ready in time for the North London derby next month.
As for Burnley, Lesley Ugochukwu had to be taken off late in the dramatic 3-2 win over Wolves, but the midfielder’s issue is not serious and he should be fit to feature against Arsenal. However, Jordan Beyer, Zeki Amdouni, and Connor Roberts remain out with hamstring and knee injuries and are not expected to return before the end of the year.
Left-back Quilindschy Hartman, who provided two assists in the win at Molineux, has now registered four assists in the Premier League this season, although all of them have come away from home.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Burnley possible starting lineup:
Dubravka; Walker, Tuanzebe, Esteve, Hartman; Florentino, Cullen; Bruun Larsen, Ugochukwu, Anthony; Flemming
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Raya; Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard
EXPERT PREDICTION
Burnley 0-2 Arsenal
