Arsenal have no excuses if their dismal form in cups continues in the league against Burnley. Mikel Arteta’s side may have struggled recently but they face a team bottom with only one win, recovering from numerous Covid cases and missing their best player, Maxwel Cornet. The Ivorian is into the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations with his country and his absence leaves Sean Dyche’s goal-shy side alarmingly short in attack. Arsenal may have shortcomings of their own thanks to the folly of Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey receiving red cards in successive Carabao Cup matches against Liverpool but if they fail to return to winning ways on Sunday then the dream of returning to the Champions League could start to fade. Graham Searles
Sunday 2pm
