Football Fixtures May 18, 2025: Arsenal Must Beat Burnley to Stay on Track
Arsenal hosts already-relegated Burnley in a crucial Premier League match tonight at 2:00 a.m., with the table-leading Gunners needing a win to maintain their title push.
Tonight's Premier League slate features only one match, but it's a pivotal contest as Arsenal must win when hosting already-relegated Burnley. The fixture kicks off at 2:00 a.m. and will be broadcast live on Monormax. The Gunners open the Emirates Stadium to welcome the Clarets.
Both teams have played 36 matches. Arsenal has won 24, drawn 7, and lost 5 for 79 points, leading the table and needing a victory to strengthen their title chances. Burnley has won just 4, drawn 9, and lost 23 for 21 points, sitting second from bottom and already relegated.
In their last five league matches, Arsenal lost to Bournemouth 1-2 (home) and Manchester City 1-2 (away), but beat Newcastle United 1-0 (home), Fulham 3-0 (home), and West Ham United 1-0 (away). Burnley lost to Brighton 0-2 (home), Nottingham Forest 1-4 (away), Manchester City 0-1 (home), and Leeds United 1-3 (away), while drawing 2-2 with Aston Villa (home).
In their last five meetings, Arsenal remain unbeaten with four wins and one draw. They already defeated Burnley 2-0 away earlier this season.
Arsenal will be without Miguel Merino, Jurrien Timber, and Ben White (injured), with Ricardo Calafiori's fitness to be checked. Burnley are missing Jordan Beyer, Josh Cullen, and Connor Roberts (injured), and must assess Hannibal Mejbri's availability.
Arsenal are expected to field a 4-2-3-1 formation: David Raya; Cristian Mospuara, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Ricardo Calafiori; Declan Rice, Miles Lewis-Skelly; Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Leandro Trossard; Victor Jekerez.
Burnley will likely use a 4-2-3-1: Martin Dubravka; Kyle Walker, Axel Tuanzebe, Maxime Esteve, Lucas Pires; James Ward-Prowse, Florentino Luis; Liam Delap, Lyle Ugochukwu, Jaden Anthony; Siaan Fleming.
Despite Arsenal facing immense pressure, their squad's superior quality over Burnley suggests the hosts should secure victory.