Arsenal Vs Burnley: The very, very scary hosts

Arsenal travel to Burnley hoping to build on last weekend’s North London derby win. But the hosts are a scary proposition. A very scary proposition. Here’s why.

Arsenal are the masters at losing games they shouldn’t. They always have been. Whether it be the increased physicality of their opponents, lapses in concentration, or just sheer naivety and complacency, they have always had a worrying innate ability to lose games that, if they are ever to be considered true title contenders, they must win.

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They have already lost two games this season that should have been won. Second game of the season. Coming off a momentum-inspiring, last-gasp win against Leicester City. Away at Stoke. Lifeless and lacklustre. 1-0 to the home team.

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Away to Watford. 1-0 up at half-time. Game seemingly under control. Troy Deeney introduced. The balls go long. The battle overpowers them. 2-1 loss with a Tom Cleverly dagger to the heart. Both games should have been won. Both were lost. Sunday’s trip to Burnley could very easily be another one of those games. And here’s why.

Sean Dyche’s side currently sit seventh in the table. It is a position that no one would begrudge them of. They are level on points with Arsenal, four points clear of their closest rivals to be the best team not in the traditional top six. And they have not had an easy run to climb so high. In fact, Burnley have already played four of the five other members of the top six. They lost just one, a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City. They drew against Liverpool and Spurs, and they beat Chelsea on the opening weekend of the season. All four of those games were away from home.

They have been defensively excellent throughout the season. They have conceded only nine goals, bettered by just the two Manchester clubs, and matched only by Spurs. Arsenal, by contrast, have conceded 16 goals. And of those nine goals, five came in away games against Chelsea and City.

Moreover, Burnley are phenomenal at home. Last season, Dyche’s side reached the magical mark of 40 points. Exactly. Of those 40 points, 33 came at home. Only Hull City had a greater proportion of their points come at home.

And this season, the picture is very much the same. Burnley have played six games at home. They have won three, drawn two and lost just one, scoring five goals and conceding two. This is a defensively astute team, that knows how to beat the big boys, that is better at home, and has something extremely valuable to play for. Recognition.

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This is the type of game that Arsenal know how to lose. They are still favourites, and they do still need to win given the blistering pace set at the top of the table. But Burnley are no slouches. They are very good football team. Arsene Wenger should be extremely wary. If not, his team will pay the price.