Arsenal and Burnley head into Saturday's Premier League encounter at the Emirates Stadium having each recorded victories in their opening fixtures.
A day after Burnley had defeated Southampton by a 3-0 scoreline, the Gunners battled their way to a 1-0 win over Newcastle United in the North-East.
Arsenal
© ReutersWhile Arsenal fans would have been disappointed not to have witnessed any of their new faces in the starting lineup last weekend, they would have been equally encouraged by Unai Emery's side still being able to grind out three points when they were not necessarily at their best.
A limited Newcastle made life easier for the Gunners, especially in the second half, but there would have been a certain level of satisfaction with a 1-0 victory being recorded away from home.
Despite Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's name being on the backpages on Monday morning, Emery will have taken more pride from a clean sheet on the road, as well as seeing Joe Willock and Reiss Nelson gain more experience in the first team.
The likes of David Luiz, Dani Ceballos and Nicolas Pepe will naturally come into the starting lineup in the near future, although Emery will feel content that he has other options available to him going forward.
That said, after a successful transfer window which has caught the majority of their fans by surprise, Arsenal must now deliver in the first home game of the season to continue to build some much-needed momentum.
Showdowns with Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur follow the meeting with Burnley, increasingly the importance of showing their rivals that they can be a contender at the top of the standings.
That may leave Emery unsure whether to stick or twist after last week's outing at St James' Park, but the new signings have been brought in to give Arsenal a better chance of overcoming the best teams in the division.
While Emery may not deem it beneficial to include each of the new signings in his side for this match, supporters will expect to see at least one of them as the club's manager looks to keep optimism high during the early weeks of the season.
Recent form: W
Burnley
© ReutersWhile Burnley's outlook on last season was undermined by a slow start, partly due to their Europa League involvement, Sean Dyche would have taken a lot of heart from how his side ended the campaign.
Three defeats came against some of the top clubs during their closing fixtures, but a previous return of 10 points from four outings ensured that they secured top-flight football for another 12 months.
Dyche and his players showed last Saturday that losing three games in a row against Manchester City, Everton and Arsenal in May mattered little as they powered to a convincing triumph over Southampton.
All three goals - including a double from the ever-improving Ashley Barnes - came in the second half, but Dyche will hope that such a conclusion to that fixture has set the tone for their season.
Having to face the Gunners, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool in succession is not ideal, although that run of fixtures only highlights how important it was to record maximum points against the Saints.
That has continued the trend of Burnley performing to their best when placed under pressure, and they now have the freedom to express themselves against some of the highest-quality teams in the division.
While Dyche may not see it exactly like that, facing Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium is now an occasion which Burnley's players can relish, aware that their hosts will come under scrutiny if they do not deliver on Saturday.
Key battles will still need to be won all around the pitch, particularly in the defensive third, but Burnley will travel to North London feeling like they are playing well enough to return to the North-West with at least a point.
Recent form: W
Team News
© ReutersWhile Alexandre Lacazette is pushing for a recall, the Frenchman may find himself on the substitutes' bench for a second game in a row.
Emery could show a preference to Pepe, with the former Lille man potentially coming into the team for Nelson, while Luiz may replace Calum Chambers.
The Arsenal boss must also decide whether to persist with Willock as Real Madrid loanee Ceballos pushes for his first start in the Premier League.
Barring any late injury issues, Dyche will likely go with the same XI, prolonging James Rodriguez's wait for an appearance in the starting lineup after his return to Turf Moor.
Danny Drinkwater - signed on loan from Chelsea - will not be involved as he continues to work on his fitness.
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Leno; Maitland-Niles, Luiz, Sokratis, Monreal; Guendouzi, Xhaka; Mkhitaryan, Ceballos, Pepe; Aubameyang
Burnley possible starting lineup:
Pope; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Pieters; Gudmundsson, Cork, Westwood, McNeil; Barnes; Wood
Head To Head
Saturday's meeting will represent the 108th competitive encounter between the two clubs, with Arsenal registering 53 wins in comparison to 33 victories for Burnley.
However, while the Clarets will be satisfied with their historical record against the Gunners, it is a different story with regards to their most recent clashes having suffered 10 successive defeats.
Burnley have not got the better of Arsenal in a league fixture since 1974, when they prevailed by a 1-0 scoreline at Highbury.
We say: Arsenal 3-1 Burnley
Despite home supporters expecting a comfortable three points, Arsenal will respect what Burnley can offer on their travels. However, with several fresh faces keen to impress, we expect a strong showing from the Gunners.
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