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Arsenal’s victory celebration last week following the come-from-behind 1-3 win over Stoke City at Britannia stadium was overshadowed by the terrible injury suffered by young Welsh international Aaron Ramsey, whose leg was broken in a challenge by Stoke’s Ryan Shawcross.
The horror of the incident was such that replays were not shown. But the looks of the players on the pitch told all. The incident surely reminded the Gunners of the injuries suffered by teammates Eduardo and Abou Diaby in recent years.
Conspiracy theory
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is convinced that the Shawcross challenge is a symptom of overly physical tactics other teams adopt when playing his club.
Others among the Arsenal contingent, however, are using Ramsey’s misfortune as a rallying call for a redoubled effort to win the league for their fallen teammate. It’s certainly a more positive response to the event and could have beneficial consequences.
The Gunners are currently in third place, two points behind Manchester United and three behind Chelsea.
Easy run in for Arsenal?
With 10 games left in their season the fixture list for Arsenal could be characterized as favorable. Seven of their upcoming matches are against clubs residing in the lower half of the table.
Burnley this weekend is one such club. Hull, West Ham, Wolves, Wigan and Blackburn are also upcoming.
Against second-to-last Burnley at the Emirates Stadium the Gunners will have a good opportunity to pick up three points. And although this may not allow them to overtake Manchester United, it will certainly allow them to keep the pace while they hope for United and Chelsea to falter as they have each done this season already.
Besides Ramsey and long term injury Robin van Persie, Arsenal are likely to be without Gallas, Gibbs and Diaby, all of whom are injured, as well as Alex Song who is out through suspension.
Survival at stake for Burnley
Burnley is fighting for Premier League survival when they meet Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. Manager Brian Laws would undoubtedly prefer the game to be at Turf Moor where the Clarets have a much better record.
Of their 16 losses this season only three were at home. One of those three was a stunner last week against Portsmouth, the only club lower on the table than Burnley. The corollary? Thirteen of their 16 losses were away from home. Against Arsenal this weekend they’ll be away from home.
Will the vintage claret be ready?
The Clarets last encounter with Arsenal produced a 1-1 draw at the Turf Moor, with age-defying Scot
Graham Alexander equalizing from the penalty spot. But going into this weekend’s match that particular vintage claret has been out for five games with a calf injury.
Yet manger Brian Laws is hopeful that Alexander will be available for the Arsenal match.
"We have missed his vocal support on the pitch and his organisation,” said Laws. "That's something we are going to need because we need to be organised and we need to have good communication, particularly with the way Arsenal play” reiterated the manager somewhat redundantly.
Injuries
Scotland international Steven Fletcher is also questionable for the match against Arsenal having broken a bone in his hand during training with the Scotland squad. Defenders Caldwell and Kalvenes and midfielder Chris McCann are also listed on the injury list.
So far in 2010 the Clarets have averaged one win a month in all competitions, so they are due one in March. It’s unlikely to come at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, however.
