Arsenal V Burnley Betting: Saturday, 6th March (Premiership)

Arsenal V Burnley

Kick-Off: Saturday, 6^th March – 15:00 GMT

Arsenal

League Position: 3rd

Recent Form: LLWWW

While Arsenal achieved what they set out for at the weekend, beating one of their ‘Bogey’ teams in Stoke City, it came at a harsh price as Aaron Ramsey suffered a compound fracture that will not only keep him out of action for the rest of this season but for a large part of the following one as well. It turned out to be a bizarre match come the end but the victory did keep Arsene Wenger’s side in the hunt for that elusive league title, if that’s any consolation for the lengthy loss of one of their brightest prospects.

Without meaning to sound brutal or insensitive, the show must go on as Arsenal’s efforts up till this point would be in vein if they decided to capitulate now after the recent turn of events. The manager and the players have come out and said the rest of the season, whatever the final outcome, is dedicated to the Welshman and that one helluva incentive for Ramsay’s team mates to do the business by winning the Premiership title for his sake.

The Arsenal players dedicated Saturday’s win to the injured Ramsay, and it was some win as well. Arsenal not only came from behind to win but also overcame the mental loss of losing one of their brightest talents in horrific circumstances by putting on a brave show and a valiant shift to record a stunning 3-1 win at The Brittania. To be fair, their performance throughout was staggering as it was a far cry from their previous two efforts at The Brittania where they simply failed to compete with their larger opponents. This time, however, Arsenal were ready for the tough, physical style of Stoke and, for the first time in years, Arsenal shown that fighting spirit, that never-die attitude that seen them win the title back in 2003/2004. 

Arsenal were well deserving of the three points in a contest we thought they would struggle to match their opponents for aggression and hunger when in fact Arsenal displayed far more of both. Now, though, they are presented with the complete opposite in a Burnley side which like to get the ball down to feet much like themselves. It’s also a fixture Arsenal are firm favourites to win and one they should win at a cantor. After all, the Gunners have won two on the spin back at the Emirates Stadium after victories over Liverpool (1-0) and Sunderland (2-0). They did manage to keep a clean sheet in both and were they to do the exact same on Saturday, against what is the poorest travellers in the Premiership, they would equal their longest home run without conceding: Three games.

This really does look a home banker for us, and the odds on both teams justify that. Arsenal have been mighty impressive at home this season against the more inferior opposition, with no team in the bottom half of the table leaving the Emirates with anything to show for their efforts thus far. The only hurdle really is how quick they recover from last weeks unfortunate incident surrounding Aaron Ramsey. The players have spoken about how they wish to dedicate any success they have this season to Ramsay, and while that displays plenty of team spirit, Arsenal need to do their talking on the pitch now, starting with a home fixture with a hapless Burnley.

Burnley

League Position: 19th

Recent Form: LWLLL

Brian Law will be looking for just his second win as Burnley manager when he takes his homesick Clarets to the Emirates Stadium in a fixture they’ll be lucky to leave with any remaining pride still in tact. Their form on the whole is abysmal, while their record on the road is pathetic, so getting anything from this encounter with a fired up Arsenal looks a little far-fetched if not impossible. Still, this is football, an unpredictable sport if we ever did see one, and it’s worth remembering at least that Burnley did hold Arsenal to a 1-1 draw back at Turf Moor.

We could throw all sorts of cliches at you regarding Burnley’s chances this Saturday; a step too far, a mountain to climb, never a chance in a million years – The last one we made up on the spot but that’s how strongly we feel about Burnley and their chances ahead of this trip to London. If they somehow earn a point at the Emirates then I’ll give the first person to write in and mock me a free £10 bet on the house, such is the unlikelihood of Burnley taking anything from this outing.

Burnley have been struggling for a while now so the root of their problems isn’t in their new manager. Even under Owen Coyle, despite a sensational yet surprising start, their form was poor. Coyle left the club at a time when Burnley hadn’t won a league fixture in ten games, while Brian Laws has faired slightly better in at least managing a victory in his eight game tenure at the club. However, they were somewhat fortunate to have picked up that win as their performances, even at home, have been drab and substandard.

Now, though, they’re on a three match losing streak in the league after defeats against Fulham, Aston Villa and Portsmouth. It does get worse mind, at least from an armchair perspective, in that Burnley’s away record this season would make any born and bred Burnley fan want to cry: 0-1-13. On just one occasions this season have Burnley avoided defeat whilst on their travels this season, with even that rare away outcome being over three months ago, with the Clarets now on an eight match losing run away from Turf Moor. The scary thing is Burnley haven’t looked like even picking up a point in their recent away ventures, so like we said earlier, Burnley have no chance whatsoever of attaining any points here, with the objective being not to concede more than ten at the Emirates.

Match Verdict: Arsenal to WIN – 1.17 BlueSquare

Anything other than a comfortable win for the Gunners would leave me in shock. Arsenal are now fired up to win after Ramsay’s injury, plus they’re now hot on the heels of Man Utd and Chelsea for the league crown. Their opponents, however, can’t stop losing away from home and are not enjoying this eight match losing away run of theirs, one which looks inevitable to stretch further with the visit to Arsenal. This really could be four, five, maybe even ten or eleven, such is the gulf in class between the two sides and the significance of the evidence to suggest this will be a one way contest.

Match Odds:

Arsenal – 1.17 BlueSquare

Draw – 9.00 VCbet

Burnley – 23.00 Coral

SoccerBetting Value Pick: Arsenal 2-0 (Half-Time Correct Score) – 5.20 SportingBet