Arsenal vs. Burnley: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info
After their 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in the Premier League, Arsenal may be grateful for some respite from the pressure of the title chase. The Gunners are one of the front-runners in the most open title race for some time, but that means every game brings with it huge levels of tension. Cup football could actually prove to be a welcome change.
The FA Cup has been kind to the Gunners of late. Arsene Wenger has lifted the trophy in each of the last two seasons, restoring his reputation at Arsenal and confirming he does still have what it takes to win major silverware. Winning a third consecutive FA Cup would be an enormous achievement and would be yet another remarkable feat for the Frenchman's magnificent C.V.
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Before Wenger can even think about another date at Wembley, he must first overcome Burnley. The Championship outfit have been in terrific form of late, winning their last three games in a particularly emphatic manner.
Burnley have title aspirations of their own. They currently sit third in the Championship, but they’re just five points off top spot. It will be interesting to see how strong a side each manager picks given the high stakes in the league. One thing’s for sure: Neither boss will be keen to go to a replay.
Date: Saturday, January 30
Time: 3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. ET
Location: Emirates Stadium, London
Television coverage: Fox Soccer Plus (U.S. only)
Streaming: Fox Soccer 2go (U.S. only)
Ticket Information
For ticket information on all Premier League games, visit the official site or go to the ticket page on the home club's official website. Secondary ticket information for Arsenal can be found here.
Form
Arsenal
W (1-0) vs. Newcastle
W (3-1) vs. Sunderland
D (3-3) vs. Liverpool
D (0-0) vs. Stoke
L (0-1) vs. Chelsea
Burnley
D (0-0) vs. Ipswich
W (1-2) vs. Middlesbrough
W (0-5) vs. MK Dons
W (1-3) vs. Brentford
W (4-1) vs. Derby
The portents are good for the Gunners in this game. Arsenal have won each of their last five FA Cup ties against Burnley, racking up 16 goals and conceding just once. What's more, the north London club have now won 32 of their last 39 cup ties at home.
During his tenure as Arsenal manager, Wenger has faced opposition from a lower division 40 times in the cup. Only once has that resulted in a defeat.
History suggests Arsenal ought to have enough to see off the Championship side on this occasion.
The Managers
Wenger may have an outstanding record in this competition, but he knows he cannot afford to take this fixture with Burnley lightly. Arsenal were eliminated by Championship opposition in the Capital One Cup, and he is wary of succumbing to a similar fate at the Emirates Stadium. Wenger told Arsenal.com:
"I saw them on Monday night beat Derby 4-1 and I realised when I watched them that all their players played in the Premier League, we played against most of them. ... We know that we have learnt in the Premier League that the teams who have come up from the Championship, it is not like 10 years ago - they compete at the right level.
We have learnt something this season, we went to Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup and got quite a severe defeat. We have to show we have learnt from that. We have to be humble enough to accept that and to think it’s not because we turn up at the Emirates and play against Burnley that we will win the game.
We have to earn the right to go through this round and qualify. If you don’t do that, we’ll have a bad surprise.
"
Meanwhile, Burnley manager Sean Dyche seems to be looking forward to the glamorous tie. He told BBC Sport: "It's a particularly good tie for our fans. We went down there last year, it's a tough place to go as everyone knows, and it's a fantastic stadium. We go there not only looking to deliver a performance, but you need that little twist of fate in the cup."
This match will provide Burnley with another taste of what awaits them if they can secure promotion. That alone should be enough to motivate his team and ensure they deliver a performance to make their supporters proud.
Team News
Arsenal
With a Premier League fixture against Southampton on Tuesday night, Wenger is likely to rotate considerably.
Francis Coquelin and Tomas Rosicky are back from injury and in contention, while Alexis Sanchez could be in line for a first start since November.
Arsenal will certainly be without Per Mertesacker, who is suspended after his red card against Chelsea. Brazilian Gabriel Paulista is the man most likely to deputise.
Predicted Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1): David Ospina; Calum Chambers, Paulista, Laurent Koscielny, Kieran Gibbs; Francis Coquelin, Mohamed Elneny; Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Rosicky, Alexis Sanchez; Olivier Giroud
Burnley
Dyche is likely to go with a strong team in order to give his side the best possible chance of securing qualification for the fifth round.
There is, however, a doubt over midfielder Dean Marney, who is suffering with a calf problem. Former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson will be in the squad, having joined the Clarets on a short-term deal.
Predicted Burnley XI (4-4-2): Tom Heaton; Matthew Lowton, Michael Keane, Ben Mee, Stephen Ward; George Boyd, David Jones, Joey Barton, Scott Arfield; Sam Vokes, Andre Gray
Players to Watch
Arsenal: Mohamed Elneny
Arsenal fans will be excited to see new Egyptian signing Elneny in action for the first team. Speaking to Arsenal.com, Wenger admitted he could well be involved:
"It is a possibility [that Elneny will start]. He is naturally a box-to-box player who is a bit more defensive-minded than your usual box-to-box midfielder, so he can play in several positions in front of the defence or go box to box. He has good technique, good vision, he is very mobile and agile.
"
It sounds as if his energetic style will endear him to the Arsenal fans. Elneny will be eager to make a good impression in his first outing in English football.
Burnley: Joey Barton
Barton's Premier League experience will be vital for Burnley at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal will hope to dominate the ball against lower-league opposition, so his snapping tackles will be crucial at interrupting their flowing passing game.
Barton also delivers an excellent set piece, and Burnley will be mindful that free-kicks and corners could represent some of their best opportunities to score and secure an upset.
James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout 2015/16. Follow him on Twitter here.
