Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal managed to bounce back from a mediocre start to the year as they put in a commanding performance to get the better of Swansea City as they ran out 4-0 winners in the previous round of the competition. That victory kept them in the 4th place, 8 points off Chelsea at the top of the table and they have a decent chance to eat into the deficit this week when they welcome Burnley to the Emirates.
Sean Dyche’s side are fresh from a victory over Southampton and will surely make it hard for Arsenal to take anything from this game but with the quality in the squad, the hosts are expected to take all three points from this game. Here is the predicted lineup that Wenger might field for this tie:
Team News:
The manager is still without the services of star players Per Mertesacker, Santi Cazorla, Mohamed Elneny and Theo Walcott, as they are all absent for this game. Hector Bellerin, Kieran Gibbs, and Francis Coquelin are expected to be back in action.
Expected lineup (4-2-3-1):
Petr Cech:
The first choice shot-stopper for Arsenal, Cech has been in sublime form this season and should start in between the sticks for his side.
Hector Bellerin:
The Spanish defender missed the previous game against Swansea but he is back at it and ready to go for this game against Burnley.
Laurent Koscielny:
The backbone of the defense for Arsenal, Koscielny is easily one of the best defenders in Europe at the moment and will hope to have a decent game this weekend.
Shkodran Mustafi:
Having cemented a place in the starting XI this season, Mustafi is growing in confidence every game and should have a comfortable night at the Emirates.
Nacho Monreal:
With Gibbs just coming back from injury, Wenger has very little options in this position and should stick with Monreal for this tie.
Francis Coquelin:
The midfielder also missed the previous round in the competition but he is the first choice midfielder for Wegner this season and should be back in the starting XI now that he is fit.
Aaron Ramsey:
After an impressive performance against Swansea, Ramsey will get another chance this weekend against Burnley to try and cement a place in the side.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain:
The English winger has not been the first choice for Arsenal this season but Wenger should use him on the right flank against Burnley.
Mesut Ozil:
The German playmaker had a decent game at the Liberty last time around and he will hope to have a similar influence on this clash.
Alexis Sanchez:
Though he was visibly distraught at the end of the previous game, Sanchez is integral to the plans at the Emirates and should start this game on the left-wing.
Olivier Giroud:
Having found some impressive form recently, Giroud is the first choice striker for Wenger at the moment and he should start this game against Burnley.