Ahead of their clash at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, Arsenal and Burnley UAE-based fans give their verdict on the game.
We asked UAE fans to share with us their thoughts, predictions and players to watch. Do you agree or have they missed the mark?
THREE BURNING QUESTIONS
Olivier Giroud is back and has scored in each of his last nine starts. How much of a boost is that? Do they work better with him on the pitch or do you prefer Alexis Sanchez up front?
Giroud has been in some amazing form lately – it really makes me wonder what’s gotten into him. Seeing him walk off the pitch just before the half-time whistle last week was extremely concerning, especially after he broke the deadlock.
I think Olivier’s injury should be assessed further and that he start off the bench on Sunday. We’ve got some tough matches ahead of us and the Champions League less than a month away; we can’t afford any injuries.
It would be wise if Sanchez starts up front against Burnley, or perhaps give Danny Welbeck chance. We’ve got enough depth in the squad to rotate without any concern.
Giroud stepping up 💯 pic.twitter.com/Qt1yHV7g0p
— Gooner Nick (@NickVann1987) January 17, 2017
Should Wenger be dipping into the transfer market again?
The only thing Wenger should be dipping into right now is the war chest tucked away inside Kroenke’s office and improve Mesut Ozil and Sanchez’s contracts – we can’t afford to lose them.
As said above, we’ve got enough depth in the squad to rotate. But I feel our midfield needs a bit of reinforcement, considering that El Neny’s away on international duties and Santi Cazorla will be out for another six weeks. Perhaps get someone on loan to act as a back up?
Can Chelsea be stopped or do you see your title hopes slipping away already?
Chelsea are currently seven points ahead of Liverpool and eight ahead of us. They play Liverpool next week and us the week after. They’ll definitely drop points, if not in the next two matches but somewhere along the season.
We shouldn’t be worried about them or anyone else dropping points, but us winning matches and keeping the race to the title going.
ARSENAL PLAYER TO WATCH
Alex Iwobi
The 19-year-old has been incredible this season. It’s a shame both the goals he scored last week weren’t credited to his account. I expect him to to keep that pace and ambition going into this match and causing sever damage to Burnley.
He’ll probably even end up keeping Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on bench for the rest of the season, if he continues playing this way.
SCORE PREDICTION: Arsenal 3-0 Burnley
WHERE TO WATCH: The Arsenal UAE Supporters Club’s Dubai branch gather at Q Bar in Holiday Inn, Al Barsha. Gooners in the capital can do the terrace chants with fellow supporters at Harvesters in Holiday Inn Downtown, Abu Dhabi.
For more information please contact [email protected]
FACEBOOK: Arsenal UAE
TWITTER: @AFCUAE
THREE BURNING QUESTIONS
The Clarets have 13 different goal-scorers this season a league-high alongside City. How reassuring is it not to be over-reliant on one striker?
It’s a good place to be in knowing the goals can come from anywhere and everyone and not being reliant on looking to get the ball to the lone striker all the time. Manager Sean Dyche uses this to his full advantage before and during all matches.
Did you expect Tom Heaton to have such a great season? How do you think he’s matured this term?
Yes, absolutely. He should be Englands first choice shot-stopper. He is showing he is up there with the best against some of the best forwards in the game especially the shot he stopped from Zlatan Ibrahimovic against Manchester United was world class.
Sean Dyche was full of praise for stopper Tom Heaton yesterday#twitterclarets pic.twitter.com/3d9qUQIMT4
— BurnleyExpress Sport (@BXSport) January 15, 2017
Burnley have won just one point on the road. What makes you think they can come away with a result on Sunday?
I am forever the optimist. Arsenal are a formidable team but Sean Dyche is a master of tactics and the team is gaining confidence every game, I just feel this is the week we steal all three points.
BURNLEY PLAYER TO WATCH
Steven Defour
He has struggled with a niggling injury for the first half of the season but his fitness levels are back and I think we will start to see him showing how much of a talent he is. Also a shout out for Dean Marney who just gets stuck in and is a fantastic reader of the game.
SCORE PREDICTION: Arsenal 0-1 Burnley
WHERE TO WATCH: Dubai Clarets started to watch the games at Bidi Bondi on The Palm but due to inconsistency with the games being shown we moved to The Underground at Habtoor Grand JBR. In that time we have had the pleasure of Burnley’s chairman John Banaszkiewicz join us to watch a couple of games (not many groups can say that).
FACEBOOK: Dubai Clarets “We are Premier League”
