Arsenal take on Burnley in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon with a number of selection problems to overcome.
Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka are both suspended, whilst members of the squad are also unavailable due to a combination of injuries and Africa Cup of Nations call-ups.
Arsenal aren’t the only side who are dealing with problems within the squad ahead of this weekend’s game, with visitors Burnley also having had to deal with a series of worries as they attempt to steer themselves away from relegation to the Championship.
That has really hampered their ability to get on the pitch, with three out of their last six Premier League fixtures since mid-December having been postponed to later dates.
Ahead of this weekend’s showdown, Burnley boss Sean Dyche gave an update on the welfare of his current squad.
Previously without the likes of Nathan Collins, Dwight McNeil, Erik Pieters, Matej Vydra and Johan Berg Gudmunsson due to positive tests for Covid-19, the five look likely to return this weekend - although in what capacity remains to be seen.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, he said: “Erik Pieters is back after Covid today, as is Johann [Berg Gudmunsson].
“Dwight [McNeil] has been back with the group, Dale [Stephens] has been back with the group. Connor [Roberts] is okay.”
In slightly more negative news for the Clarets though, they look likely to be without three key players in the form of Maxwel Cornet, Ashley Barnes and Charlie Taylor.
The Ivorian winger, a star since a summer switch from Lyon, is still out of contention due to his AFCON commitments.
Barnes in the meantime remains on the sidelines with a troublesome thigh injury that has kept him out of action for a considerable period of time.
Finally, Taylor has been attempting to overcome a knock and whilst he has an outside chance of taking to the pitch at the Emirates, it appears slightly unlikely that he will be fit enough to start.
