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After going nearly four months without a defeat, the Gunners suddenly find themselves on the wrong end of two losses. Arsenal went down to a rejuvenated Southampton last weekend whereas they let their old enemy, Tottenham exact revenge at the Emirates on Wednesday.
With the defeat last weekend, the Gunners now sit three points off the pace in the race for the top four. The games are arriving at a rapid clip during the festive period and Arsenal need to find their mojo in order to ensure they gain momentum in the most exhausting phase of the league calendar.
At lunchtime on Saturday, Arsenal would look to put their minor blips of last week aside as they play host to a struggling Burnley side. The Clarets currently find themselves in 18th spot and have failed to recreate their form of last season. Thus, the game accords the Gunners the ideal opportunity to steady a rocking boat and brace itself for a sustained tilt at the top four.
Through this article, we would look at three questions that provide an interesting aspect to the larger narrative on Saturday.
#3 Will Aubameyang and Lacazette start together?
The Gunners’ devastating duo has not started a game together for a month now and the results are for everyone to see. Arsenal have failed to inspire when the pair hasn’t been on the pitch and their stirring comeback against Spurs also came to fruition after the introduction of the Frenchman.
The duo has scored a combined total of 26 goals in all competitions this season and boast of an excellent understanding on the pitch. Additionally, Aubameyang has looked a little lost without his strike partner for company.
Thus, it has been a surprise that they haven’t featured from the outset in the past few games.
Moreover, Emery’s switch to a back three makes it more feasible for the Gabonese and the Frenchman to function in tandem. The Spaniard has preferred a 3-4-2-1 yet a tweak could be made to accommodate both and deploy a 3-4-1-2.
Coming into the North London Derby, Lacazette had been nursing a groin injury. However, a few weeks on, he seems fit enough to start a game.
With the Gunners stuttering a little of late, starting Aubameyang and Lacazette on Saturday could be the best remedy.
After all, goals win games and that is exactly what the aforementioned pair offers.
#2 How will Arsenal line up in defence?
Arsenal have suffered a spate of injuries since their trip to Old Trafford. On the night, they lost Rob Holding for the season while Mustafi picked up a niggling hamstring injury.
However, their injury troubles don’t seem to have an end in sight. At St. Mary’s last weekend, Bellerin picked up a calf injury while Lichtsteiner also picked up a knock. Though the latter made the match-day squad for the cup tie in mid-week, the former will have to pass a late fitness test to claim his place against Burnley.
After preferring a back four initially, Emery has recently employed a back three. The change has helped Arsenal gain an edge when attacking down the flanks with their lack of genuine width being exposed when playing the conventional 4-2-3-1.
Although the back three seems the best option moving forward, Emery might not have the required personnel for Saturday.
Mustafi, Bellerin and Kolasinac are unlikely to be available and Maitland-Niles didn’t cover himself in glory in mid-week.
Moreover, Koscielny has looked really rusty since his return and Lichtsteiner seems to be adapting to the frenetic pace of the league.
The Gunners might have scored freely so far this season but their defensive deficiencies might just hold them back.
At a time when their bare defensive cupboard already looks emptier, it would be interesting to see who finally emerges from the tunnel at lunchtime on Saturday. As for Gooners, they wait with bated breath, hoping that their fragile defence doesn’t undo their good work at the other end.
#1 Will Mesut Ozil play a part?
Mesut Ozil was handed a bumper contract at the start of the year which sees him earn in excess of 300,000 per week. However, his performances haven’t been nearly as consistent since the turn of the year.
Under Emery, the German has started only a handful of games with him missing the Gunners’ most recent big games against Spurs and Manchester United due to injury. However, when he returned to fitness against Southampton, he still found himself warming the bench while he was completely ignored for the Carabao Cup tie.
To add fuel to the fire of a rift, there have been numerous reports doing the rounds, implying that Emery might just have lost patience with the German’s lackadaisical attitude. Moreover, his explanation of not using Ozil due to tactical reasons left a lot to be desired.
Unai Emery has enjoyed a solid start on the pitch with him exceeding many expectations.
However, in handling the Ozil saga, he has his first ‘off the pitch’ test on his hands. And it’s safe to say that the Spaniard hasn’t always provided the reassuring answers the Arsenal faithful have been looking for.
A game against a struggling team at home would represent the perfect occasion to ease Ozil back into action. Yet, if Emery has indeed lost patience, the German could find himself freezing on the bench for another week, at least.
