Burnley 1-1 Arsenal

Graham Alexander’s penalty earned Burnley a deserved draw against Arsenal at Turf Moor leaving Arsene Wenger’s side failing to keep up the pressure on their competitors. Early on, it looked all easy for the gunners as Fabregas literally strolled into the penalty area thanks to some poor defending display from Bikey who was caught in possession and Arsenal took the lead through Fabregas who scored low past Brian Jensen.

Arsenal threatened to finish the game in the first half itself but Fabregas quickly wasted another chance and Andrey Arshavin struck an upright. But Burnley, who were denied by the woodwork themselves in the opening seconds when Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia turned Thomas Vermaelen‘s wayward header on to the bar, refused to lie down. Already having displayed some tough fights against the visiting teams in front of their home fans this season, it was no surprise that Burnley refused to go quietly, even when confronted by Arsenal’s early superiority. Burnley edged their way back into the game and they drew level after 28 minutes. Referee Mike Dean had the easiest of decisions when Vermaelen fowled Bikey in the penalty area and Graham Alexander converted his 100th career league goal to make the scoreline 1-1.

Owen Coyle’s side looked the more likely winners for spells in the second half. Eagles almost gave Burnley the lead after 62 minutes when he escaped the attentions of Samir Nasri and Mikael Silvestre on the right flank before striking the woodwork with a rising angled drive. The momentum stayed with the hosts towards the end but due to thrown chances and some sheer bad luck they couldn’t take the lead. But in the end, Burnley earned a very deserved point if not a victory.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger looked unimpressed as he marched away at the final whistle – and he has an added concern over Fabregas, who was forced out of the action before half-time with a suspected hamstring injury. Wenger will also regard this as two points lost as Arsenal failed to cash in on the momentum built up by the win at Liverpool on Sunday.