The Best Medicine: Arsenal v Burnley; Match Preview
The run begins!
When these teams last met – Burnley equalized the game with an hour remaining and managed to hold off a charging Arsenal for the remainder of the match. As the 2nd round switches to the friendly confines of the Emirates stadium, it seems unlikely that this could happen again.
The task for Burnley is huge, while they have been impressive at Turf Moor their away form has been dreadful – 1 point from 14 matches. It gets even worse when you consider they have only won once in their last 16 matches, a 2-1 victory over West Ham at the beginning of February. But Gunners should not fooled by their inpetitude, they are a squad fighting for their very survival and that means they could be very cagey.
Burnley have made it absolutely clear they do not intend to sit back on Arsenal and like everyone has said int he last coming weeks – “We intend to play Arsenal hard.” On it’s surface that seems a sound philosophy but after last week’s injury to Aaron Ramsey, the Gunners showed mettle they haven’t in some time and took apart Stoke in the remaining 20 minutes of the match. An over aggressive Burnley will only set themselves up for penalties and points against.
For Arsenal, it has been a week of emotion. A lot has been debated about the tackle on Aaron Ramsey. Was it intentional, what does it mean, etc. We’ve heard it all. The good thing about this Saturday is we can put that print to rest and concentrate on some football. You can expect the Emirates to be a rocking venue this week as th home crowd are set to urge their team on in honour of the injured midfielder. Large tribue banners from Arseblog and REDaction are set to be unveiled. As the team has vowed to win the league to honour the young welshman, the atmosphere should be almost cup like.
But even the gunners won’t be without just Ramsey. Sol Campbell who played an amzing game against Stoke is out with aslight groin injury. The original centre back William Gallas remains out with his injury which means that Mikhail Silvestre will likley get the start. In addition to Sol Campbell being out, Alex Song, sits out for two games serving a suspension for his 10th yellow card of the season.
However the Gunners will be bouyed by the return of both Andrei Arshavin and Abou Diaby to the lineup. Also returning but less inpiring is Denilson. The arrival of Burnley could be what the doctor ordered to keep the Gunner’s hjead on. Two years ago after the inury to Eduardo, the Gunners lost their next 4 league matches and fell from 1st to 3rd in the league. In order to keep pressure on Chelsea and United and to move briefly to the top of the table again – Arsenal need to win by 4 points or more. A win keeps them firmly in it. A big win gets them in a really good position.
Cesc Fabregas has told anyone who will listen that this time will be different. This is a different Arsenal squad under different leadership. That was clearly evident by the team display at the end of the match last week. Again, going back two yers ago at the end of the Eduardo injury match against Birmingham the team was a set of indivudlas, rudderless with Captain William Gallas sitting alone from the team on the pitch. Last week Captain Fabregas and veteran Campbell called the boys together for a group huddle – ala the invincibles.
While the Gunners have done very well to stay in the hunt alot of people still managed to question their title credentials. Now with a cause at their back the perception of some people has changed. Even Sir Alex Furgeson who seemed reluctant to admit that Arsenal were in it, this week told the press and his team that they would have to contend with an Arsenal squad who seem motivated, directed and focused on making a run for the title. There are still significant matches to be had and as we’ve discovered (and Chelsea and United too) anything can happen.
Out of the three title contenders however, Arsenal admittedly have the “easiest” run. Chelsea and United still have to square off against each other, and Liverpool. Arsenal – well they don’t have to face the big four again until next season. Their hardest matches likely are Spurs away and City at home. But right now they have Burnley.
How the Match Should Play Out:
Burnley have the worst defencive record in the EPL – letting in 55 goals. Arsenal are co-scoring leaders with United having put 66 goals past all the keepers in the EPL. A gathering of forces like that can only lead to one thing (hopefully) a plethora of goals. Look for Arsenal to be really geared up for this match. I also suspect that Arsenal could very well break their drought of not scoring in the opening 15 minutes of a match at the Emirates. This could be one of – those vintage Arsenal routes (I hope).
Players to Watch:
Arsenal: Cesc Fabregas. One more goal this season and the Arsenal Captain will equal Robert Pires for most goals by an Arsenal midfielder in a season (14). With many games left to play, that number will easily get shattered. Stoke gave him the space to operate last week and he surgically cut them open. Even before the Ramsey injury you had thought Arsenal were a threat to score and that was primarily of Cesc’s ability to control the game.
Burnley: Steven Fletcher. The Scottish forward returns to the squad this week playing with a cast on his hand. If Burnley are to do anything they will need him to find form and place pressure on the Arsenal middle.
Probable Starting XI:
Injuries:
Arsenal: Ramsey (leg), Van Persie (ankle) Djourou (knee) Gibbs (foot) Gallas (calf) Campbell (groin)
Burnley: Caldwell (groin) McCann (knee)
Recent League Form:
Arsenal: WWWLL
Burnley: LLLLL
Match Officials:
Referee: Alan Wiley
Assistant Referees: Shaun Procter-Green & Mark Scholes
Fourth Official: Mike Dean
TV Broadcast Schedule:
US:???
UK: ???
Live Feeds:
www.atdhe.net
GAME DAY CHAT IS OPEN:
www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat
YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 3
Burnley: 0
