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Football London
Football London
Sport
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

'Why has he dropped Pepe?!' - Arsenal fans can't believe what Mikel Arteta has done vs Burnley

Mikel Arteta's team selection for this afternoon's Premier League fixture against Burnley has got a number of Arsenal fans talking.

The Gunners go into the game on the back of an impressive 3-1 win over Leicester City last weekend, coming from behind at the King Power Stadium thanks to goals from David Luiz, Alexandre Lacazette, and Nicolas Pepe.

However, that was just Arsenal's second Premier League win in six games and a top-four finish appears unlikely as a result.

Ahead of kick-off at Turf Moor, Arteta's side sit 10th in the table with 37 points from 26 games and know a win is crucial if they're to challenge for the Europa League qualification places.

And in an attempt to ensure his side maintains their winning momentum in the Premier League and to record a third straight victory across all competitions, Arteta has made several changes to the side which started against Leicester.

Five to be exact.

As expected, captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard, and Bukayo Saka are among those recalled after being left on the bench six days ago.

There is no Emile Smith Rowe in the squad, but Gabriel Magalhaes is back on the bench after not even travelling to the King Power last weekend.

Arsenal XI: Leno; Chambers, David Luiz, Pablo Mari, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard, Willian; Aubameyang

Most of the reaction from Arsenal supporters on social media has centered around the inclusion of Calum Chambers at right-back instead of Cedric Soares and Hector Bellerin.

Take a look at some of the best responses on Twitter...

With that said, some fans aren't too happy about Nicolas Pepe being dropped after impressing against the Foxes.

@GoonerA7 said: "Willian has one good game and then gets played ahead of an in form Pepe."

@seanncubexi said: "Good lineup other than Pepe on the bench."

@Sam_Ringland_14 asked: "Why has he dropped Pepe? One of our most lethal forwards."

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