KOMPANY TALKS ‘TAKING OUR MOMENTS’ AHEAD OF ARSENAL

Clarets boss looks ahead to Arsenal clash

Manager Vincent Kompany insists his side must ‘make use of their moments’ in Saturday’s encounter with the Gunners as Burnley entertain Mikel Arteta’s side at Turf Moor.

The Clarets created a handful of goalscoring opportunities through David Fofana, Wilson Odobert and Zeki Amdouni in last weekend’s defeat to Liverpool at Anfield and Kompany admits ‘something has to go your way’ in games with Premier League title contenders, such as Arsenal.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, the Burnley boss said: “These sort of teams (Arsenal) have always got tools to hurt you and we need to make sure we make use of our moments that we create.

“We have faced a lot of the top, top teams in the last couple of weeks and it hasn’t changed from when we played Spurs, City, Liverpool, you do need something to go your way on the day.

“It has to be belief. There is no magic recipe for this game. They have incredible players in every position but we can be difficult to play against sometimes and we need that on Saturday.

“It’s practice and belief together, you have to believe that the next time you are in a situation to score in, you find the back of the net.”

Although the Clarets suffered defeat to the Gunners in the reverse fixture at the Emirates, Kompany says that performances ‘turned’ following that clash and there have been plenty of positive displays since.

“We got to a point where Arsenal was a bit of a turning point for us and since then we haven’t talked about the actual performances as such, take out the first half against Fulham.

“We have been in every game since then and it’s about getting results now and getting over the line and keeping out of the net.”

Saturday will see Kompany come up against a former opponent from his playing career and coach from the latter years at the Etihad in Arteta, who was working as a coach under Pep Guardiola between 2016-2019.

The Clarets chief had high praise for the Spaniard: “We have a common history. We’re in contact every now and again, but we are all very busy, so it’s more seasonal.

“He’s passionate and I like how he handed his first season with Arsenal. There was a lot of complications, changes of players and a young squad but he has improved the team season on season.

“On top of knowing his stuff and being a leader, he’s shown resilience but consistency gives you a chance.”

Ahead of the meeting with the London side, Kompany also provided an update on the fitness of Lyle Foster, Charlie Taylor and Jordan Beyer who have all missed the last few games.

“Foster won’t be available, he had surgery on a chronic issue. It’s not season over but he will miss a period of time.

“Jordan is progressing and everything is going well but which game he comes back in depends on a number of factors.

“Charlie was close for Liverpool and if he carries on with another good week then he won’t be far off.”