Prediction: Arsenal vs Burnley

Verdict: Arsenal to win and both teams to score

Best Odds: 2/1

Bookmaker: Bet 365

Arsene Wenger will be hoping Arsenal can achieve maximum points in his final home game in charge of the club. It’s Burnley who travel to the Emirates aiming to spoil the Frenchman’s farewell.

Arsenal

After almost 22 years as manager of Arsenal, Arsene Wenger will take charge of his final home match at the Emirates. The 68 year old will be hoping he can sign off with all three points against Burnley, especially after his team disappointingly exited the Europa League at the hands of Atletico Madrid on Thursday. It hasn’t been the fairy-tale ending to his career that Wenger would have envisaged, however.  A disappointing last few seasons have left a lot of fans undivided regarding whether the Frenchman was the right person to take the North London team forwards. Nonetheless, he’s been a great servant to the club and deserves a fitting send off on Sunday. The Gunners have a great record at home this season, with 14 wins, and two draws from 18 matches. They’ve also bagged at least three goals in five of the last six home matches. However, Arsenal’s defence may leave a few fans worried after only managing one clean sheet in their last 10 games in all competitions.

Team News

Laurent Koscielny will be missing from the squad after the defender suffered a serious Achilles injury in Thursday’s match with Atletico Madrid.

Mohamed Elneny (ankle) and Santi Cazorla (Achilles) are also out, but Patrick-Emerick Aubameyang will return after being cup-tied for their Europa League exit.

Burnley

After a season that has surpassed many people’s expectations, Burnley know one point from their final two fixtures will secure European football next year. A great start to the campaign threatened to be derailed when Sean Dyche’s men went 12 matches without a win in all competitions from December 12. However, five victories on the bounce after those games is the main reason they’re still sitting happily in seventh place. If results go their way, they could even find themselves finishing above Arsenal which would be a miraculous achievement. The Clarets are currently three points behind the Gunners having played a game more, but victory on Sunday would make it a very real possibility. Unfortunately, it does appear that Burnley are running out of steam. After a 2-1 loss at home to Chelsea, they suffered disappointing draws against Stoke City and Brighton. The Lancashire team do have a history of letting in late goals against the Gunners too, conceding injury time winners in the last three meetings between the two sides.

Team News

Chris Wood is available after the striker was substituted in last week’s match against Brighton due to a gashed foot.

Ben Mee is a doubt for the match as the defender recovers from a shin injury.

Key Factors to Consider

• Arsenal have won their last six home matches against the Clarets in all competitions
• Burnley haven’t beaten the Gunners is any of their last nine attempts (D1 L8)
• The Clarets have won three of their last four Premier League away games (D1)
• Arsenal have scored at least three goals in each of their last four home league matches
• 2% of the Gunners Premier League points have come at home this season

Conclusion

Arsenal should have the focus to ensure Arsene Wenger’s last home game is marked with a victory. However, their leaky defence means Burnley could score at least once.

Verdict: Arsenal to win and both teams to score

Best Odds: 2/1

Bookmaker: Bet 365