Burnley hoping for more traditional London generosity

Burnley/Arsenal, 7.45, Sky Sports 1, Best Odds, Free Bets

Burnley fans may be forgiven for thinking that if they can embarrass Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, then they are capable of separating any Premier League scalp from its overpaid cranium. And well they might, at least according to the bookies, who have Burnley at a ridiculously short 7/2 to win tonight. Before they start to get their hopes up of wiping the smirks off the faces of Wenger’s feral kids, however, here are five sobering points to remind them what they are up against.

Arsenal don’t often wobble outside their division

Arsenal haven’t been giant-killed in the League Cup since they were beaten 3-1 by Oldham (also from Lancs, pattern fans) on November 22, 1989/90. At the time Oldham were sixth in the old Division Two (Burnley are currently fourth). That season, Oldham made it to the final, where they lost 1-0 to Forest.

Even when small teams have come close, they fall at the final hurdle

Since that humiliating defeat to Oldham, Arsenal have had a few other close shaves against lower league opposition in the league cup. They needed penalties to beat Rotherham, Sheffield United and Doncaster in consecutive years between 2003/4 and 2005/6.

Posted: December 2nd, 2008 by Ed Needham | Add Comment