Burnley v Arsenal Match Preview

[outwoodclaret]

On 6 August 2011 Ben Mee made his League debut for Burnley in a 2-2 home draw with a Watford side managed by Sean Dyche who was taking charge of the Hornets for the very first time. It was one of four successive home draws in the League for the Clarets. On Wednesday evening the Clarets picked themselves up from a disappointing performance against Spurs to earn a well-deserved point against the high flying Foxes to secure a fourth successive home League draw for the first time since that run of games ending in August 2011. Burnley now face mid table Arsenal at Turf Moor. A 1-0 away win at the Emirates in December was achieved courtesy of an Aubameyang own goal on a day when the Gunners had one player Xhaka sent off and another Elneny lucky to escape a red card. Burnley now have the opportunity to secure a League double over Arsenal for the first time since the 1962/63 season. After so many frustrating years of losses to the Gunners during the Wenger era a double now against Arteta’s side would be sweet indeed. It will however need to be achieved against an Arsenal team who are in good form themselves. Europa League victory over Benfica at the end of February was followed by a 3-1 win at the King Power Stadium. For the Clarets Chris Wood who was excellent against Leicester (and unlucky not to add to his tally of goals against his former club) will lead the attack. He will probably be partnered again with Vydra who ended his personal goal drought with a powerfully hit shot that gave Schmeichel in the Leicester goal no time to react. Ashley Barnes is still likely to be absent but JBG and Robbie Brady could be fit to return giving Sean some options in midfield. Our referee for the day is the very experienced Andre Marriner. This will be his second game with the whistle at Turf Moor this season having officiated in September in our home loss to Southampton. Andre has issued 62 yellows but no reds in his 22 games in charge this season.

ps.An Arsenal match will usually evoke memories of the Bertie Mee/Bill Shankly song but I am intrigued to know whether our very own Ben Mee is related to the inimitable Bertie. Anyone know if there is a family connection?

[Supersub6]

Would be fantastic to do the double over them after all the heartache with disputed goals over the last few seasons.
Only three teams have done the double over them this season, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Wolves --could we become the 4th?

[The Bedlington Terrier]

Nicely put together outwood. Thank you.

[alfinyalcabo]

Another good read Outwood,anything but an Arsenal win would be okay.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

Another good read Outwood,anything but an Arsenal win would be okay.

Three points would do us a power of good Alf.

[alfinyalcabo]

Three points would do us a power of good Alf.

Definitely BT . One is better than none though.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

If we can nick two points from our next two games I will be more than happy Alf.

Any more than that and it's in "Brucie Bonus" territory.

[kritichris]

Wenger's Arsenal were our bogey team, now it's City, we should nick a point here. Thanks for the OP outwood, good read.

[kritichris]

For my 1-1 prediction I was hoping we'd score first.

BBC: What's that stat about Aubameyang not scoring many outside London? Also seem to imply Pope should have done better.

[army88]

For my 1-1 prediction I was hoping we'd score first.

BBC: What's that stat about Aubameyang not scoring many outside London? Also seem to imply Pope should have done better.

We’re off the pace again , nearly got undone with same ball as Leicester’s goal other night - we’d better get up a gear or two - it’s like a training session for them.