Aubameyang and Martinelli start, Predicted Arsenal lineup (4-2-3-1) vs Burnley

Arsenal are scheduled to face Burnley on the road in Sunday’s Premier League meeting. The Gunners have managed only a single league victory since the turn of the year but there have been positives with the club managing to stay unbeaten for six successive games in all competitions.

Mikel Arteta’s side are currently 11 points behind the final Champions League spot but they can reduce the deficit to single digits with a win over Sean Dyche’s side. Arsenal have dominated Burnley in the top-flight and they have won each of the previous 10 meetings.

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted Lineup:

Bernd Leno has played every minute of the club’s Premier League season in goal. The German has been less busy between the sticks of late but has not kept a clean sheet since the 2-0 win over Manchester United on New Year’s Day. He is still expected to start in goal against the Clarets.

In the defence, David Luiz should make his comeback to the starting lineup after serving one-match domestic ban. The Brazilian should partner Sokratis at the heart of the defence with Hector Bellerin and Bukayo Saka once again occupying the full-back positions.

Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira have been the go-to choices for the manager in the centre of the park and no changes are likely. That should witness Matteo Guendouzi drop to the bench despite the fact that he was one of the leading performers in the FA Cup fourth round win at Bournemouth.

In the attack, Nicolas Pepe and Gabriel Martinelli should continue to keep their places in the wide attacking positions. Mesut Ozil is likely to retain the number 10 spot after being an unused substitute for the FA Cup tie at the Vitality Stadium.

Alexandre Lacazette has not scored for the Gunners for eight straight games and he may have to settle for a bench role with club-captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang expected to start after his three-match domestic suspension. Aubameyang has usually featured on the left wing but the form of Martinelli (a goal in each of the past two league games) may tempt Arteta to play him as the main striker.

Predicted Arsenal XI: Leno; Bellerin, Luiz, Sokratis, Saka; Torreira, Xhaka; Pepe, Ozil, Martinelli, Aubameyang