Burnley 1 Arsenal

TON-DERFUL ... Graham Alexander scores his 100th career goal

ARSENAL claimed they were back in the title race after winning at Anfield on Sunday - this morning they may not be quite so sure.

Burnley's excellent home record and the Premier League's oldest outfield player proved too much for Arsene Wenger's team to overcome.


And, as if slipping back to eight points behind leaders Chelsea was not bad enough, they also lost skipper and scorer Cesc Fabregas, who limped off with a hamstring problem just before the interval.


He will join the likes of Tomas Rosicky, Nicklas Bendtner and Robin van Persie on the sidelines at a busy time when the manager needs them most.


Suddenly the outlook is not so bright for the Gunners and Wenger cut a frustrated figure at the end.

Wenger has admitted he is a bad loser and he was hardly gushing in his praise for the Clarets, who gave his team an almighty scare.

The home side hit the woodwork twice and had a goal by Steven Fletcher ruled out for offside, which was debatable to say the least.

But Wenger said: "We were a bit jaded physically and in the final third we lacked a bit of sharpness and they played an absolutely committed cup game.


"It is a result. They are not fair. They gave everything tonight and they had the right attitude and the right commitment.

"In the second half we dominated without being decisive and they only played counter attack but they did very well.

"I wouldn't have been pleased with four points from the two games because I always want to win. We expected to drop two points at Liverpool more than here but football is like that."

His assessment did not do justice to another encouraging display by Owen Coyle's men, who are intent on staying up playing the right way.


Only Wigan have won here in nine games and, when they play like this, it is hard to believe they could yet be dragged into a relegation scrap.

But until they sort out their sorry away form, that remains a possibility - although their ever-positive boss would never think like that.


He said: "Either side could have won it but we more than deserved our point.

"We need to sustain this performance game-in, game-out. We've showed we can nick points. Every point in this league is hard to earn and very valuable. So that's what we must continue to do."

Burnley's next game is on Sunday at Wolves, who controversially made 10 changes when they took on another of the Big Four, Manchester United, on Tuesday.

Coyle added: "We don't have the luxury of rotating. Last year we played 61 games and ended with 18 players so if I started rotating I might even get a game myself!"


His Clarets were so nearly ahead straight away as Thomas Vermaelen almost headed a Chris Eagles free-kick into his own goal.

But Manuel Almunia acrobatically tipped the Belgian centre-back's inadvertent effort on to the bar.

But Arsenal settled and led thanks to some comedy defending from Andre Bikey and Clarke Carlisle.

Fabregas could not believe his luck as the ball ended up back at his feet and he made no mistake, stroking a shot low into the corner.

The Gunners skipper and Samir Nasri both had chances to take the game away from Burnley but the home team hung in there.


The visitors went even closer as Andrey Arshavin linked beautifully with Fabregas and the Russian thumped a low shot against the base of Brian Jensen's post.

Clarets survived just and got right back in the contest when Bikey mis-controlled Stephen Jordan's pass but was chopped down by Vermaelen.

Mike Dean pointed to the spot and the Premier League's oldest outfield player, Graham Alexander, 38, does not miss penalties.

The former Preston defender smashed in his 100th career goal - an amazing effort - although 70 of them have come from 12 yards.

Arsenal's disappointment at blowing their advantage was compounded as Fabregas limped off with his hamstring problem just before the interval and was replaced by Aaron Ramsey.


Jensen then produced a smart save to deny Vermaelen a goal at the end of the half, so presumably Wenger had some choice words to say at the interval again.


This time he sent his players back out a good couple of minutes early and they again dominated possession after the break.

But it was the home side who were carving out the best chances.

Eagles produced some magical wing play and thumped a shot against a post. Steven Fletcher then turned smartly on to Bikey's cross but smashed his effort high over the bar.

The home side did have the ball in the net when the excellent Kevin McDonald crossed and Fletcher tapped in at the back post - but the celebrations were cut short by a linesman's flag.

Eagles fired over the top while the Clarets looked to have a strong shout for a penalty as Mikael Silvestre appeared to handle.

But Arsenal hung on and could even have nicked it as William Gallas and sub Eduardo had late chances - but that would have been mighty tough on Burnley.

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