It is absolutely vital that Arsenal keep their recent improved run of results going with a home win against Burnley today. But almost as important as picking up all three points is for the players to build on the last two wins and start to find their fluency going forwards and their solididity in midfield and at the back.
As usual, Arsene Wenger has plenty of injury problems to worry about but he should still have more than enough quality to put the bottom club Burnley to the sword, especially as their confidence must be abysmal after failing to register a win since being promoted to the Premier League at the end of last season.
But the Frenchman has resisted the urge to make any changes from the away win at Sundertland last weekend, so Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey remain on the bench, while Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini both start in the centre of the pitch. It also means that our Spanish left back Nacho Monreal gets the nod at the heart of defence with Calum Chambers on the right and young Bellerin missing out again.
Szczesny
Chambers, Mertesacker, Monreal, Gibbs
Arteta, Flamini, Cazorla, Chamberlain
Alexis, Welbeck
subs: Martinez, Bellerin, Ramsey, Rosicky, Walcott, Podolski, Sanogo
The Gunners need to start fast and get right at the struggling visitors and if we do that then it could be a goal fest. With the likes of Walcott and Ramsey on the bench as well, Burnley should be in for a long and painful afternoon. And we might even see Yaya Sanogo get his first senior Arsenal goal!