There are a lot of positives to come today
Burnley were beaten 2-1 in today’s FA Cup 4th round tie against Arsenal at the Emirates but we gave the Gunners a tough game as both managers discussed after the final whistle.
Arsène Wenger is looking to win the competition for a third season in succession and have now beaten both Sunderland and us at home to go into the last sixteen. After this win he said: “We needed to work. At the start it looked like it would be easy because we had a lot of the ball and good opportunities around the box.
“When it came back to 1-1, it became a different game. I think we were a bit shocked and they gained belief. I saw them against Derby and I could see that this is a very efficient, strong team with no weakness. Everything they do is based on efficiency and they’ve shown that today.
“In the second half, I don’t think they created a lot. They had one or two opportunities on the counter attack but we managed to win the game and we looked quite in control at the end. We needed to keep focus, our urgency until the last minute.”
Speaking about their two goals, he added: “I would say they are two completely different goals. One came from a build up in the final third, where we were patient and moved the ball well, with great finishing from Chambers. He’s quite a good finisher in training.
“The second one was in transition, coming out quickly from the back and finishing well, with a lot of pace. They were two completely different goals.”
Arsenal were able to bring back Alexis Sanchez for his first start in a number of weeks, but Sean Dyche said: “You only play people, you don’t play price tags and I was particularly pleased with how well we did that today to give a strong account of what we are about this season.
“I am really disappointed not to get something from the game first and foremost, but behind that there is a way of playing that is effective and I thought we were today.
“Last season we came down here and they were very strong. Today, they made changes but were still a very good side. Other than the first twenty minutes, when I felt we showed them too much respect, our response was fine. We scored a fine goal and finished the first half strong.
“I thought we started the second half very well and they were nervous, but we gave the ball away very cheaply and they countered to score again. After that it was difficult to get something from the game, although we did have some chances.
“Again I was really pleased with the mentality to break up their play, start making life uncomfortable for Arsenal again and keep creating chances, so there are a lot of positives to come today. We kept going, so I am really pleased in the shift from the last time we came down here.”
Dyche had a special mention for Tendayi Darikwa and Fredrik Ulvestad who came in for Matt Lowton and Joey Barton, our only changes from the team that beat Derby.
He said: “Some of the players out there today will not have experienced anything like this, like Tendayi, who has come on a journey in a short space of time, as have Andre and Freddie. All of these things and days like this help players learn and that can only be a good thing.”
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