It was a very disappointing defeat in Cologne last night for the Arsenal reserves, but we will be reverting back to our First XI that destroyed Tottenham last week for the trip to Burnley. Our side should we well-rested for this game after their exertions against Spurs but Burnley obviously don’t have any European football so will be feeling good too, and very confident after winning all of their last three games without conceding a goal.
Arsene Wenger, along with everyone else, is surprised at how much they have improved this season under Sean Dyche, and knows that this is going to be far from an easy game. : “Of course they are the surprise package because if you asked before the season 100 people ‘will Burnley have 22 points at this stage in the season?’ Ninety would have said no and the 10 others would have been Burnley supporters.
“They benefit from the fact that Sean Dyche has done an outstanding job. The fact as well that they have stability in the team. They know each other well, they played together for years now and that’s why they are a difficult opponent for anybody.
“Look at what they’ve done against Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United – they do well everywhere. So it’s a difficult game.”
“Turf Moor is a very difficult place for everybody,” he continued. “I believe that their capacity to be efficient with restricted possession as well.
“You know they’ve won games with 30, 25 per cent possession – that means they know what they want to do and are patient to have that killing instinct of a snake.
“They put you to that pace and suddenly they bite you.”
The Gunners may well be on an amzing run of 11 wins in a row at the Emirates, but away from home we have been diabolical with our only win coming at a seriously weak Everton side. This away form really must be changed and Burnley will be a very difficult venue to get our season back on track and prove that last week’s result was not a fluke. Let’s just hope the same Arsenal team turn up and then we may have a chance!
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As long as Arsenal do not let Burnley’s speedsters come through their defense, they would be fine. Arsenal got punished by Richarlison’s dive when facing Watford and they got hit by Jese Rodriguez’s fast counter-attack when facing Stoke City.
Similar thing happened when they faced Leicester, Liverpool and Cologne. Arsenal would not win if they keep letting runners penetrating their defense easily.
To avoid this, Arsenal should score first and let the opponent panic. By scoring a quick first goal, Arsenal could make the opponent lose their focus, sit back and launch quick counter-attacks.
Yes I completely agree. But if we come out pf this test with flying colours,then certainly our hopes of a top 4 finish will reignite. First things first,yes burnley have been playing a bit more expensive brand of football lately but if they decide to make it a game of football,there will only be one winner. I bet they will try to frustrate us and hit us on the break or nick a goal through a set-piece. We’ll really have to be patient in this one. I’ll take a 1-0 victory all sunday long….