Arsenal and Burnley match preview features kick-off, TV, streaming, team news, head-to-head and odds
Burnley may already be preparing for life back in the Championship, but their record against the Premier League’s elite this season should give Arsenal pause for thought. The Clarets have taken points off Manchester United, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Chelsea in 2026 — a run that proves they are no pushovers, even as a relegated side. As Mikel Arteta’s league leaders prepare to host them at the Emirates Stadium on Monday night, the message is clear: complacency could be costly.
Caretaker manager Mike Jackson, installed after Scott Parker departed by mutual consent once relegation was confirmed, began his tenure with a creditable 2-2 draw against Aston Villa. That result ended a run of five consecutive Premier League defeats and underlined Burnley’s stubbornness. Their history at the Emirates only adds to the sense of danger: they have avoided defeat on two of their last three visits to north London, memorably winning 1-0 there in December 2020. Overall, Arsenal hold the head-to-head advantage — 58 wins to Burnley’s 34 — but the broader picture is one of a side capable of springing surprises.
The fixture, part of Matchweek 37, kicks off at 8pm BST on Monday, May 18, 2026, at the Emirates Stadium (capacity 60,704). In the UK, the match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage beginning at 6.30pm BST. Subscribers can stream via the Sky Go app, while Standard Sport will provide a live blog from the ground with expert analysis.
Team news and injury concerns
Jackson has no fresh injury worries but faces a late call on midfielder Hannibal Mejbri, who picked up a knock in the draw with Aston Villa. Josh Cullen, Connor Roberts and Jordan Beyer remain sidelined. For Arsenal, Mikel Arteta is without Ben White for the remainder of the season. Riccardo Calafiori is doubtful after being substituted at half-time against West Ham with a muscular problem, initially described as precautionary. Jurrien Timber is nearing a return after showing progress in his recovery, while Mikel Merino is also an absentee and racing against time to feature again this term. The Gunners, meanwhile, have enjoyed a remarkable campaign beyond domestic duties: they reached the Champions League final for the first time in 20 years, defeating Atletico Madrid 2-1 on aggregate, and will face Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest on May 30.
How Arsenal can seal the title with narrow wins
The title race remains tantalisingly poised. Arsenal lead Manchester City by two points with two games remaining, though City hold a superior goal difference by a single goal. That narrow margin has led to much discussion about the need for a big victory against Burnley — but the arithmetic is simpler than it appears. Back-to-back 1-0 wins against Burnley and then Crystal Palace on the final day would secure the Premier League title for the Gunners, regardless of what City do. Arteta’s side have already demonstrated the resilience required: they have won their last three league matches without conceding a goal, a run that also set up their Champions League final berth. The Emirates will be electric for the final home game of the campaign, and the players will want to put on a show, but the reality is that a string of narrow victories would be enough to end a 22-year league title drought — Arsenal last won the Premier League in the 2003-04 season.
Burnley’s away form offers Arsenal further encouragement. The Clarets have managed just two wins, three draws and 13 losses on the road this season. Yet they demonstrated earlier in the campaign that they can trouble the top sides, and their head-to-head record at the Emirates is a reminder that nothing can be taken for granted. Arsenal won the reverse fixture 2-0 away earlier in the season.
Odds reflect the gulf in quality: Arsenal are priced at 1/14 to win, with Burnley at 22/1 and a draw at 15/2 (via Betfair, subject to change). The match will be officiated by German referee Daniel Siebert, who has taken charge of three Arsenal matches in 2026 — all of which the Gunners won.
