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Match preview - Burnley vs. Arsenal - Clarets hope to keep impressive home record against climbing Gunners
Wednesday night sees Burnley host Arsenal at Turf Moor while the rest of the Premier League try to make amends for the weekend's results. The Clarets welcome Arsene Wenger’s side who are riding high after beating Liverpool on Sunday. It is set to be an interesting clash as Burnley hold an impressive home record and Arsenal’s away record, despite Sunday’s result, doesn’t fare too well. The last meeting between the two sides was an FA Cup tie in March at the Emirates where a spectacular volley from Eduardo stole the headlines as Arsenal comfortably won 3-0. Burnley have only lost once at home this season, that a 3-1 reverse to Wigan in October. Arsenal will stay up in the north and after their clash with Liverpool, hope to keep their away record consistent to climb the league table and keep up the pressure on league leaders Chelsea.
Burnley - Owen Coyle’s outfit have won 71% of their home games this season, most notable slaying champions Manchester United and Everton early in the season. The manager has been revelling in having a large percentage of his squad fit and ready for the match. Jay Rodriguez and Martin Paterson, who both return this week, are expected to warm the bench as the strike partnership of Steven Fletcher and Robbie Blake will almost certainly start. Steven Caldwell is likely to lead the back-line, keeping both eyes on Andrey Arshavin. The last meeting between the two sides at Turf Moor last December saw Chris Eagles’ shrewd throw-in cut through the Arsenal defence allowing Kevin McDonald to score. Brian Jensen was man of the match in the last encounter - ‘The Beast’ was unbeatable and will be looking to give another stoic routine.
12 Jensen
2 Alexander - 5 Carlisle - 6 Caldwell - 23 Jordan
33 Eagles - 21 Bikey - 11 Elliot - 16 McCann
9 Fletcher - 20 Blake
Arsenal - The Gunners go into the match looking to close the gap on leaders Chelsea and second place Manchester United. Wenger is likely to start many of the same starting XI from Sunday, with Arshavin likely to carry on spearheading the Arsenal attack with Theo Walcott and Samir Nasri supporting in a 4-3-3. The chief concern will be at left-back, as Armand Traore limped off at Anfield on Sunday. With three left-back’s injured, Mikael Silvestre will deputise and will have to be wary of former United teammate Eagles down the right-wing who posed many problems for Arsenal in the last tie. After their last visit to the Clarets’ backyard, (a defeat which saw them knocked out of the League Cup) the north Londoners often struggle against the smaller sides even after beating top four opposition and will be looking for an away win to steady their erratic away form.
1 Almunia
3 Sagna - 10 Gallas - 5 Vermaelen - 18 Silvestre
4 Fabregas - 17 Song - 15 Denilson -
14 Walcott - 23 Arshavin - 8 Nasri
The game signifies a fight for both teams, Burnley sit nervously above the relegation zone with 18 points while Arsenal harbour hopes of ascending the table after Sunday’s win. Burnley’s last three matches consist of two losses and a draw, however, Owen Coyle’s men have a habit of coming from behind to equalise and Arsenal’s defence has been questioned for failing to keep the lead. After an impressive start to the Premier League campaign for the Clarets, they will be looking to jump-start their season once more after trailing off a little in recent weeks. As Arsenal prepare for another cold winter clash up north, they will no doubt have to rely on grafting rather than crafting.
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