Burnley keep on surprising their critics and start the weekend in seventh place with 22 points and only behind Arsenal on goal difference. Their 2-0 home win over Swansea City last Saturday was their third straight win and all achieved without conceding a goal. It’s always worth looking at just who teams are beating, and that trio of wins came at home to Newcastle United and Swansea City and away at Southampton. All three of those sides are in the bottom seven in a league based on the last six matches and neither have won any of their last three league games.
So, Burnley aren’t exactly beating the cream of the crop, but they are still a team to reckon with. Last season their away form was appalling but this year they have already won at Chelsea and earned draws at Tottenham and Liverpool, so on their day this team can mix it with the very best.
Home form kept them in the Premier League last season but started slowly this term. It’s picked up well though as their confidence has grown and they have 11 points from their last five home league games after starting with a home loss to West Brom.
It’s their ability to frustrate teams and keep it tight at the back that is ensuring their success this season. They have only conceded one goal in their last five home league games but if you are looking for high-scoring games then Turf Moor isn’t the best place to head. Every single home league game this season has had under 2.5 goals scored in them and that’s happened in 12 of their last 14 at home. Now they face Arsenal, the first of the top teams in the league to make their way to Turf Moor. Their defence will be severely tested this weekend, that is for sure.
There are a few Jekyll and Hyde teams in the Premier League at present, none more so than Arsenal. The win over Tottenham at the weekend took their home record to six wins out of six but on their travels, they have just four points from six games. If this does prove to be the last season for Arsene Wenger, then it’s their away record that will be the cause.
Four of their six away league games have ended in defeat with losses to Stoke City, Watford, Manchester City and Liverpool. The last two on that list are understandable but to come away from the first two without a point is unforgivable if you are trying to launch a title bid.
Their only away league win this season was the 5-2 win at Everton that helped see the end of Ronald Koeman. Their other five away league games have seen the Gunners score just twice and when you look at their team, it’s hard to work out just what is going wrong on their travels. It’s nothing new though with nine defeats in their last 14 away league games. A title challenge is going to be near impossible this season but getting back in the top four has to happen and for that to be achieved, they need to find a cure to their away-day blues.
Conclusion
Some Burnley fans are talking about the possibility of European football next season. After this game against the Gunners, they have five winnable games and the more they win, the higher their confidence will grow. This is their toughest task of the season at Turf Moor and it’s going to be fascinating to see how they cope. Arsenal must be totally frustrating their fans this season, even more than usual. Win after win at home and some dire performances on their travels but that win over Tottenham and the form of Sanchez and Ozil can lead to their second away league win of the season but in a game with under 2.5 goals in it.
The Key Stats
Last Five Premier League Results – Most recent first
Burnley – WWWLD
Arsenal – WLWWL
Head to Head – Last Five League Meetings
22/01/17 – Arsenal 2 Burnley 1
02/10/16 – Burnley 0 Arsenal 1
11/04/15 – Burnley 0 Arsenal 1
01/11/14 – Arsenal 3 Burnley 0
06/03/10 – Arsenal 3 Burnley 1
- Burnley have won their last three league games without conceding a goal.
- 10 of the last Burnley league games have had under 2.5 goals scored in them.
- There have been under 2.5 goals scored in 12 of their last 14 home league games.
- Arsenal have lost nine of their last 14 away league games.
- There have been over 2.5 goals in four of the last five Arsenal away league matches.
- Arsenal have scored in their last seven league matches.
- The last six Arsenal league goals and nine of the last 11 have all been scored by different players so there are lots of potential first goal scorers here.
- Arsenal have won their last six league and cup games against Burnley.
- Burnley last won a league match against Arsenal in 1974.
- The last six home Burnley home league and cup games against Arsenal have all had under 2.5 goals scored in them.