Arsenal vs Burnley, Premier League 2018-19: What time is kick-off today, what TV channel is it on and what is our prediction?
What is it?
It's the second match of the 18th round of Premier League fixtures - fifth-placed Arsenal, who play their first match since back-to-back defeats in league and cup, host Burnley in 18th.
Burnley have not won away at Arsenal in six league meetings since 1974 when they won 1-0 at Highbury by virtue of Peter Noble's late goal. In four Premier League meetings at the Emirates, Arsenal have won 3-1, 3-0, 2-1 and 5-0.
When is it?
It's on Saturday, December 22.
What time is kick-off?
12.30pm.
What TV channel is it on?
It kicks off Saturday's live coverage on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. The pre-match programme begins at 11.30am on both channels, an hour before kick-off. You can also watch the match unfold right here with Charlie Eccleshare's live blog.
What is the team news?
Arsenal
The so-called defensive crisis continues at the Emirates - Hector Bellerín (calf) and Konstantinos Mavropanos (groin) are out for at least another week while Rob Holding will not be available until next season. Shkodran Mustafi (hamstring) was due to return but has been ruled out by Unai Emery until Boxing Day at best.
Better news about Sead Kolasinac (thigh) who is in the squad and poised to return which should allow Granit Xhaka to play in his proper position.
Danny Welbeck has had a second operation on his dislocated ankle and has begun rehab work but is unlikely to be available for months.
Provisional squad Leno, Cech, Jenkinson, Lichtsteiner, Koscielny, Sokratis, Mustafi, Monreal, Medley, Kolasinac, Maitland-Niles, Xhaka, Elneny, Torreira, Guendouzi, Ramsey, Iwobi, Mkhitaryan, Ozil, Saka, Lacazette, Aubameyang, Nketiah.
Burnley
Aaron Lennon is out of Burnley's squad after undergoing knee surgery for the cartilage he injured playing against his former club Tottenham last week.
Fellow wingers Robbie Brady and Johann Berg Gudmundsson are expected to have overcome 'a knock' and tight hamstring respectively but the midfielder Steven Defour is likely to be kept out by his calf strain.
Left-back Stephen Ward is back in training following his knee injury but is not scheduled to return until the new year while Nick Pope, who dislocated his shoulder in July, played his first match for the Under-23s last Monday and will be back in contention in a couple of weeks.
Provisional squad Hart, Heaton, Lowton, Taylor, Mee, Bardsley, Tarkowski, Long, Cork, Brady, Gudmundsson, Defour, Hendrick, Cork, Westwood, McNeil, Vokes, Barnes, Wood, Vydra.
What are the current standings?
What are they saying?
Unai Emery on his defensive problems
Every player is helping us with big commitments, playing in different positions, because sometimes the team needs them there.
Laurent Koscielny played on Sunday and after coming back from his injury, starting against Tottenham would have been a lot of minutes on the pitch.
Granit [Xhaka] is helping and I am happy with him and his performance. His commitment to help us is very important.
Joe Hart on turning Burnley's fortunes
I don’t think anyone is performing badly. This league is just so strong that if you are not quite there you are probably going to lose the game.
That’s not an excuse, so we need to be more ruthless at both ends. Burnley’s success over the past couple of seasons has been about turning half-chances into a goal and restricting a lot of chances at the other end to get clean sheets.
Getting back to that would be a great foundation and, as proven last season, it’s about sticking to that mantra and not necessarily being too expansive and trying to win games four or five, but knowing one goal will be enough.
What are the best odds?
Arsenal to win 2/9
Draw 11/2
Burnley to win 14/1
What's our prediction?
Burnley's defensive rigour returned at Wembley last week and they were only beaten late on after a clever, battling performance. Arsenal have had a poor week and have looked far from fluent since the league victory over Spurs. Could be a repeat of the Huddersfield home victory - a very tight game won at the death.
Predicted score Arsenal 1 Burnley 0
