Burnley may have just been promoted from the Championship, but they have already proven that that they are no pushovers, especially at Turf Moor, and they are comfortably in mid-table after the first six games in the Premier League.
Although the Clarets lost 1-0 to Swansea on this season’s opening day, that is actually there only home defeat in the last 17 League games, stretching back to before Xmas. And of course they have beaten both Watford and Liverpool 2-0 recently, and drew 1-1 with (at the time) high-flying Hull City.
Le Prof is well aware that this game is going to be far from easy. “Burnley have been very efficient at home and they are a team who are very well organised with their style of play because they have had a consistency from the manager,” said Wenger.
“Sean Dyche has been there for a few years now and he knows the Premier League. It looks like he has adapted his style efficiently. I watched their last game against Watford and their commitment was absolutely superb. We have to prepare for a battle mentally and I believe it will be a very important and very interesting game as well.
“I think Burnley are ready to suffer,” added Wenger. “They are ready, because against Liverpool they had not a lot of possession, but they were very efficient and as well because they have strong points. They are strong on the counter-attack, they are efficient on set-pieces and that’s why they get results.”
So we have established that Burnley have a good home record, but Arsenal also have an excellent away record. Since Xmas the Gunners have lost just one away League game, and that was 3-2 at Old Trafford in Frbruary. And coincidently, our opening day defeat to Liverpool is our only loss in our last 16 League games and we have won our last four.
Burnley may be good at home, but I think they are going to come back down to Earth tomorrow when they face the mighty Arsenal!
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