Premier League 2018-19: 3 pressing questions  Arsenal need to answer when they host Burnley

#2 How will Arsenal line up in defence?

Sokratis looks the only player certain to start against Burnley

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.