Arsenal faces burnley in must-win clash for title push
With just one Premier League title under its belt since 2004, Arsenal cannot afford to take its remaining fixtures lightly. The narrow 1-0 victory over West Ham last weekend, decided by a controversial late VAR decision, may have removed the biggest roadblock in the Gunners’ path to glory. Now, the London side turns its attention to Burnley, a side fighting merely to salvage pride in its final outing of the season.
Kickoff is set for Monday at 21:00 CEST at the Emirates Stadium, a match that could see Arsenal extend its lead over Manchester City before the latter’s own fixture the following day. The Gunners are in relentless pursuit of domestic supremacy, all while keeping an eye on the upcoming UEFA Champions League final.
Arsenal vs Burnley: match day essentials
- Date: Monday, 18 May
- Kickoff time: 21:00 (French time)
- Venue: Emirates Stadium
- Referee: Paul Tierney
- VAR: Active
- TV broadcast: Canal+ Foot
- Live stream: Canal+ app
- Odds: Arsenal 1.08 | Draw 9.75 | Burnley 24.00
Arsenal’s latest team news and tactical outlook
The Gunners survived a nervy encounter against West Ham, a team battling relegation, thanks to a last-gasp winner. Controversy arose when the video assistant referee disallowed a late equaliser for West Ham, keeping Arsenal’s title hopes alive. However, Mikel Arteta’s side faces fresh selection headaches heading into this clash.
Defensive reshuffles are likely after Ben White exited the West Ham game with a knee injury, ruling him out for the season and potentially the England squad for the Euros. On the opposite flank, Ricardo Calafiori also limped off, leaving Arteta with a defensive conundrum. Expect a backline featuring Jorginho and Gabriel alongside goalkeeper David Raya. Declan Rice, drafted into defence against West Ham, may retain his place to restore balance in midfield.
With a win, Arsenal would move five points clear of Manchester City ahead of the latter’s trip to Bournemouth, a ground where the Sky Blues have been particularly strong. The Gunners’ home record against newly promoted sides remains formidable, boasting an unbeaten streak of 44 matches (39 wins, 5 draws, including 15 consecutive victories). The champagne may still be on ice, but the Emirates faithful could soon be celebrating.
Likely Arsenal XI: Raya – Hincapié, Gabriel, Saliba, Mosquera – Lewis-Skelly, Rice – Trossard, Odegaard, Saka, Gyokeres
Manager: Mikel Arteta
Burnley’s fight for respect in final fixture
For Burnley, there is no silverware at stake—only pride. The Clarets sit at the bottom of the table, with Wolves clinging to hope of avoiding the drop. While Burnley has never been relegated as the league’s lantern rouge, the players will not go quietly. A spirited performance at the Emirates could at least spare them the humiliation of finishing last.
Historically weak away from home, Burnley has conceded at least two goals in six of its last seven road games. The club’s away defensive record this season is alarming, with 45 goals conceded on the road—a number that does not bode well against an Arsenal side desperate to secure three points.
Likely Burnley XI: Weiß – Pires, Humphreys, Estève, Tuanzebe, Walker – Anthony, Ugochukwu, Florentino, Tchaouna – Flemming
Manager: Michael Jackson
How to watch Arsenal vs Burnley live in France
The exclusive broadcast rights for Premier League matches in France belong to Canal+, which will air the game live on Canal+ Foot at 21:00 on Monday. Subscribers can also stream the match via the Canal+ app, provided they have an active sports package. For real-time updates, enhanced statistics, and audio commentary, the platform offers a comprehensive viewing experience.
Head-to-head: Arsenal dominates recent meetings
While Burnley may carry a fighting spirit, Arsenal’s recent dominance cannot be ignored. The last three encounters have produced a combined scoreline of 10-1 in favour of the Gunners, with their only setback a draw in January 2022. Burnley’s solitary Premier League win over Arsenal in December 2020 feels like ancient history, dating back to the early years of Arteta’s tenure.
Despite two relatively respectable away performances in recent seasons (a draw and a win), the Clarets head into this match as heavy underdogs. Their task is monumental, but the spirit of underdogs has driven surprises before.