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Burnley manager Sean Dyche says he has Arsenal in his sights ahead of Chelsea clash

A sixth win in succession against stuttering Chelsea on Thursday would see Burnley overtake Arsene Wenger's side

Wednesday 18 April 2018 15:00 BST
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Burnley currently sit seventh in the league
Burnley currently sit seventh in the league

Burnley have Arsenal in their sights as they attempt to take another remarkable step up the Premier League ladder.

The Clarets' 2-1 victory over Leicester last weekend left them red-hot favourites to secure the final Europa League spot - providing Southampton do not win the FA Cup - but they are only two points behind the Gunners in sixth.

A sixth win in succession against stuttering Chelsea on Thursday would see them overtake Arsene Wenger's side, albeit having played a game more, and with a match at the Emirates still to come.

Manager Sean Dyche said: “To be seventh is fantastic. If we can attempt to chase down Arsenal - I don't think that would have been words I'd have been using at the beginning of the season - we will do.”

Ahead of a trip to relegation-threatened Stoke on Sunday, Dyche welcomes Antonio Conte's Chelsea - who are only eight points ahead of Burnley - to Turf Moor.

The tone for the Clarets' stunning campaign was set on the opening day when they defeated the reigning champions 3-2 at Stamford Bridge having led 3-0 at half-time.

Recalling his mid-match team talk, Dyche said: “It was definitely one I hadn't planned on. We had a little meeting with the staff and they said, 'What do you think'. And I said: 'I don't know. What do you want me to tell them? They're 3-0 up at Chelsea'. Then we just waffled on and kept our fingers crossed and we managed to get that one over the line.

“The big thing looking back on that game, it's not just a great result against a top side, everyone waits for their first win and it makes a story if you don't get it in a number of games, well that's gone immediately. And an away win. It doesn't guarantee anything but it changes the immediate feel of the season. We've not really looked back.”

Sean Dyche was named Manager of the Month for March

Uncertainty remains about Conte's future at Chelsea, while he could rest players for Thursday's match ahead of their FA Cup semi-final against Southampton on Sunday.

But Dyche highlighted last weekend's Premier League clash with Saints, when Chelsea trailed 2-0 only to score three quick goals, as a reminder of what the top teams can do.

“They've had a few challenges this season but you only have to look at the Southampton game," he said.

“It's a funny thing against the top sides, they can look quiet and sometimes you think 'are they really on song'? And then over a matter of minutes they pick it up and all of a sudden they look like a different side. We're moving forward, we're not there, we're not those sides.”

Tom Heaton is still struggling with injury

Dyche is likely to name the same team that beat Leicester, with it clear now that Tom Heaton is set to have to make do with a place on the bench for the remainder of the season following his return from a dislocated shoulder.

Nick Pope's form in goal has given him a chance of going to the World Cup with England and ended any lingering hopes Heaton might have had of playing himself into contention.

Dyche insisted it has not been a hard decision to continue to leave out last season's player of the season, saying: “It's really, really simple when they're playing so well.

“Popey's having a very strong season, he's delivering very, very good performances, so I've got no reason at the moment to consider changing him. Tom is a fantastic keeper, he's done many good things, and his time will come again. Tom's very respectful, he totally understands it.”

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