Arsenal vs Burnley prediction 18.05.2026 | English Premier League

Arsenal come into this game in strong form after winning four of their last five matches in all competitions. Their latest victory, a dramatic 1-0 triumph away to West Ham, further strengthened their title ambitions and extended their excellent defensive run. However, it could have been a lot worse for the Gunners if Callum Wilson’s late equaliser in injury time had not been ruled out. 

Leandro Trossard has continued to deliver important goals in recent weeks, while Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard remain central creative figures in Arteta’s attacking structure. Declan Rice has also been hugely influential in midfield, helping Arsenal maintain control in high-pressure fixtures.

In terms of injuries, Ben White has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a knee ligament injury, while Jurrien Timber is also unavailable. Riccardo Calafiori remains a doubt after picking up a recent issue, although Arteta is hopeful the defender could still recover in time.

Burnley’s season has been filled with difficulties, and they head into this encounter sitting in the relegation zone. Recent performances have been disappointing, with the Clarets losing four of their last five matches across competitions.

Despite their struggles, Burnley did manage a spirited draw against Aston Villa recently, showing they are still capable of competing when defensively organised. Still, the Lancashire side can only fight for a consolation win, as they were relegated to the EFL Championship weeks ago. 

However, Burnley’s defensive record remains a major concern ahead of facing one of the league’s best attacks. Injuries to Jordan Beyer, Connor Roberts, and Hannibal Mejbri have further weakened squad depth at a crucial stage of the campaign.