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Barclays Premier League Preview: Arsenal vs Burnley

Written by: admin on 6th March 2010

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It’s a clash between the aristocracy and the peasantry of the Barclays Premier League as Arsenal host Burnley at the Emirates Stadium. The Clarets who belong in the lower echelons of the league have the massive opportunity to leap frog out of relegation pit while The Gunners could go level on points with leaders Chelsea if they secure the all important 3 points when these two sides do battle on Saturday. With rivals Manchester United taking part in the late kick off and The Blues participating in a Cup game it would be safe to assume that Wenger and his troops would be raring to go and get maximum out of this game.

Arsenal
The Gunners sent a signal of intent last weekend when they produced a heroic performance to take all three points at Stoke, so oft a venue where they falter to the bully boys. It was not without cost though as young Welshman Aaron Ramsey suffered a horrific injury at the unfortunate hands of a robust challenge from Ryan Shawcross and will sit out most of this year with a broken leg. Wenger’s boys though showed tremendous maturity and courage to overcome the loss of a comrade on the pitch and a penalty from Cesc Fabregas and a late goal from Thomas Vermaelen saw Arsenal secure all three points at the daunting Britannia stadium.

The Londeners are on a 3 game winning streak in the league which includes a 1-0 home victory over Liverpool. Arsenal have scored 66 goals this season, tied with Chelsea for the best attack. They score 2.7 goals a game at home and concede just 1. Nicklas Bendtner has been on a mission to prove his doubters wrong. The big Dane seems to have solved all of Arsenal’s problems upfront and looks very comfortable in leading the line on his own. The striker scored for his country in the mid-week friendlies and looks in very good shape at the moment. Captain Cesc Fabregas has assisted or scored 28 goals this season and has led the Gunners through thick and thin in emphatic fashion. The Spanish midfielder has a very good case for Player of the Year and if Arsenal go on to win the league, he will have played a more than significant role in their success.

Burnley
Manager Brian Laws has led the Clarets to one victory and 7 defeats in his 2 month reign at Turf Moor. The team has been in free fall since Owen Coyle left in early January and has failed to foster any sort of form. They lie 19th and their defeat to bottom placed Portsmouth at home last weekend emphasized their lack of quality and character. Burnley did have the better opportunities but they allowed Pompey into the game and lost immense ground in the race for survival. The Clarets have the league’s worst defence and worst away record.

David Nugent has impressed at Burnley this season with 4 goals in 10 starts. The 24-year old is on loan from bankrupt Pompey and is looking to make a name for himself in English football at Turf Moor. Former Hibernian striker Steven Fletcher has been a regular in the first team since his arrival in the summer. The Scot has 7 league goals for the Clarets and has been their most consistent player all season. Along with Jamaican Tyrone Mears and keeper Brian Jensen, Fletcher has started in every Premier League game this season. No one expects Burnley to cause an upset at the Emirates on Saturday but the stimulus of survival could yield the most unexpected response.

Team News

Arsenal: Robin van Persie, Aaron Ramsey, Johann Djourou and Kieron Gibbs are all out with injuries. Alex Song will sit this one out due to suspension. Andrey Arshavin and William Gallas are doubtful for this one and late medicals will determine their availability while Abou Diaby should make the cut for this clash.

Burnley: Captain Graham Alexander, Christian Kalvenes, Chris McCann and Steven Caldwell are all doubts for the clash against the Gunners. Alexander is the one man Burnley really need as apart from being an inspiration on the pitch, the skipper is flawless from the penalty spot.

History: These two sides last met at the reverse fixture in December at Turf Moor. Captain Cesc Fabregas saw his 7th minute strike cancelled out by his Burnley counterpart through a penalty in the 28th minute. These two sides have met 4 times in all competitions in the recent past and Arsenal have won two while Burnley have won one.

Form Guide
Arsenal (WWLWL)
7th Feb, Chelsea 2 – 0 Arsenal
10th Feb, Arsenal 1 – 0 Liverpool
17th Feb, Porto 2 – 1 Arsenal
20th Feb, Arsenal 2 – 0 Sunderland
27th Feb, Stoke City 1 – 3 Arsenal

Burnley (LLLWL)
30th Jan, Burnley 1 – 2 Chelsea
6th Feb, Burnley 2 – 1 West Ham United
9th Feb, Fulham 3 – 0 Burnley
21st Feb, Aston Villa 5 – 2 Burnley
28th Feb, Burnley 1 – 2 Portsmouth

Key Players:
Cesc Fabregas: The Spaniard is most likely to win it directly or indirectly for his side just like many other games of the season. He is Arsenal’s captain and one of Europe’s most gifted midfielders and could turn a game on its head at will. He is Arsenal’s top scorer with 13 goals.

Brian Jensen: The Beast needs to pr17th oduce another magical performance (remember the Cup games) if he is to keep Arsenal out at the Emirates.

Likely Line-Ups:
Arsenal: Eboue, Vermaelen, Campbell, Clichy, Diaby, Fabregas, Denilson, Nasri, Arshavin, Bendtner

Burnley: Jensen, Carlisle, Mears, Bikey, Alexander, Eagles, Elliot, McDonald,Fletcher, Blake, Nugent.

Prediction: Burnley to go to the Emirates all guns blazing but coming out with little to show for their courage and commitment. A 3-0 win for Arsenal. Please note, the reverse could also happen, Arsenal might come out all guns blazing and take this opportunity to improve their goal difference!

File Photograph Copyright: Wonker

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