PREVIEW | Arsenal vs Burnley [Premier League, Matchweek 37]

For Mikel Arteta's side the penultimate round of this Premier League season awaits, with Arsenal hosting Burnley, who are already confirmed to be relegated. The match will be of great significance for the Gunners for several reasons. With two rounds left in the competition, Arsenal are on the verge of winning the league title, which they haven't done for 22 long years. By saying they are on the verge, I mean they have their destiny firmly in their own hands. The equation is, at first glance, very simple. If Arsenal manage to win both of their remaining matches, they will become champions. I probably don't need to explain further why Monday's clash with Burnley will be so important. In addition to all of this, it's the Gunners' last home game of the season, so an even more fervent atmosphere can be expected at the Emirates Stadium.

Basic information

📅 Date and time	🏟️ Stadium	⚽️ Match	🏆 Competition
18. 5. 2026, 21:00 (CET)	Emirates Stadium	Arsenal v Burnley	Premier League (Matchweek 37)

Form

Looking at the recent results of both teams, their current form is difficult to compare. However, Monday's match at the Emirates Stadium won't be about form, but about how the home players approach the game and how they manage to deal with the growing pressure. Arsenal must win this match unconditionally, while Burnley have virtually nothing to play for.

Arsenal

📈 Current form: 🟢 🟢 🟢 🟡 🟢

⚽️ Results: West Ham 0:1 Arsenal (PL) Arsenal 1:0 Atlético (CL), Arsenal 3:0 Fulham (PL), Atlético 1:1 Arsenal (CL), Arsenal 1:0 Newcastle (PL)

🏆 Premier League position: 1st (79 points)

Burnley

📈 Current form: 🟡 🔴 🔴 🔴 🔴

⚽️ Results: Burnley 2:2 Aston Villa (PL), Leeds 3:1 Burnley (PL), Burnley 0:1 Manchester City (PL), Nottingham 4:1 Burnley (PL), Burnley 0:2 Brighton (PL)

🏆 Premier League position: 19th (21 points)

Team and expected line-up

Mikel Arteta has sent out the exact same starting eleven for three consecutive competitive matches, but this time we will definitely see some changes. At least one is certain. Personally, I think there will be a few more changes, but perhaps I am mistaken and the Spanish manager will only be dealing with forced changes.

Predicted Arsenal vs Burnley line-up

Defence

I'll start with what won't change, and that's the goalkeeper and the two centre-back positions. Between the posts will be the now three-time Golden Glove winner, and in the centre-back pairing, the traditional duo of William Saliba and Gabriel. The Spanish manager will have to make a change on the right flank of the defence. Ben White's season has ended prematurely due to a knee injury, so Cristhian Mosquera will have to take his place, who currently represents the only logical option, as Jurriën Timber is still not fit. Even though he should be Riccardo Calafiori Following a minor injury sustained, like White, from the match against West Ham, he is fine, so I think Piero Hincapié will start from the first minute on the left side of the defence against Burnley.

Midfield

In my opinion, we will see further changes in midfield, with the return of the team captain Martin Ødegaard. Furthermore, I dare say that Myles Lewis-Skelly will retain his place in the starting lineup. Declan Rice, about whom no one has any doubts, is a certainty to start. With Lewis-Skelly in midfield and Ødegaard's return, there are several options in Arsenal's midfield. If my prognosis is correct, then he will again remain on the substitutes' bench Martín Zubimendi and this time even Eberechi Eze.

Attack

Where I absolutely expect no changes, however, is in attack. Bukayo Saka is a clear first choice on the right wing, while Leandro Trossard, as well as Viktor Gyökeres, have been putting in very respectable performances in recent weeks, to which they are mainly adding important goals or significantly contributing to goals scored. Of course, Mikel Arteta has many variations here too, but the most probable, in my opinion, is the one mentioned above.

Absences

The pair remain on the long-term injury list Mikel Merino and Jurriën Timber. Information is starting to emerge regarding both players that they should be able to get back to match fitness before the end of the season. The Dutch defender, in particular, is under intense scrutiny from both the media and fans. In the last match away at West Ham, Ben White He suffered a knee injury that will certainly rule him out for the rest of the season. Jurrien Timber's return is therefore imminent in North London. My personal tip is that if Timber manages to return to the team, it will be at the earliest next week, when Arsenal have a match away at Crystal Palace. There is also a question mark over Riccardo Calafiori's fitness, but he should hopefully be alright and part of the squad.

Opponent

🏟️ Stadium: Turf Moor, Burnley (capacity 22,546)

👔 Manager: Mike Jackson

🧤Goalkeepers: Martin Dúbravka, Max Weiss

🛡️ Defenders: Hjalmar Ekdal, Maxime Esteve, Quilindyschy, Bashir Humphreys, Lucas Pires, Axel Tuanzebe, Kyle Walker, Joe Worrall

🎯 Midfielders: Jacob Bruun Larsen, Josh Cullen, Zian Flemming, Florentino, Josh Laurent, Hannibal Mejbri, Lesley Ugochukwu, James Ward-Prowse

⚽️ Forwards: Zeki Amdouni, Jaidon Anthony, Ashley Barnes, Armando Broja, Marcus Edwards, Lyle Foster, Loum Tchaona, Mike Tresor Ndayishimiye

🚑 Injuries: : Josh Cullen, Hannibal Mejbri

⚠️ Suspensions:

Match

Almost all football fans agree on who the clear favourite for the match is. The only question therefore remains whether Arsenal will be able to fulfil their role and truly overwhelm their opponents from the other end of the table at their home stadium as expected. Quality and squad depth, home advantage, and league position are all clearly in Arsenal's favour. The match, which will most likely consist of Arsenal constantly attacking Burnley's goal, should be under their control. From start to finish. This should, of course, also be reflected in the final score.

With all due respect to Burnley, Arsenal's biggest opponent in this match will be Arsenal itself, or rather the pressure. The pressure of success being so close, yet still relatively far away. I believe Mikel Arteta's team has learned from all previous seasons when they narrowly missed out on the league title, and that this year they will truly leave nothing to chance. I expect the home players to want to fly into the match similar to how they did against Fulham, because it was the start of the game that decided its entire fate.

Tip for an accurate result

I hope the players of the North London club don't serve us up similar drama to a week ago at the London Stadium, and that we see a much calmer match. Perhaps one like against Fulham, who we just mentioned. We have no choice but to believe that in addition to three points, we will also see some good football and a comfortable victory. Of course, the victory is the most important thing, however, on Monday we could also witness a pleasing result. I predict an Arsenal victory of 3-0.

Next match

Arsenal's next, and final, league match of this season will be played on Sunday 24th May 2026 at 5:00 PM (CET), as will all other teams. Mikel Arteta's charges will bid farewell to this Premier League season on the pitch at their near neighbours', Selhurst Park, where they will pit their strength against home team Crystal Palace.

See you next time, I'll look forward to it!

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