Team news

Arsenal preview
Arsenal expect to welcome back midfielders Andrey Arshavin (hamstring), Denilson (calf) and Abou Diaby (knee) for the Barclays Premier League clash against Burnley.

However, veteran centre-back Sol Campbell is out because of a groin problem, while Cameroon midfielder Alex Song is suspended.

William Gallas (calf) is still sidelined, while Carlos Vela will be rested after international duty away with Mexico.

Aaron Ramsey (broken leg) has joined Robin van Persie (ankle) and Johan Djourou (knee) as a long-term absentee.

While Ramsey's shocking injury may have grabbed all the headlines, Arsenal moved back within three points of leaders Chelsea - and could go top of the Btable with a four-goal win over the relegation-threatened Clarets, who have picked up just one away point all season.

Wenger said: "For us, Stoke was a vital victory and has put us in a good position for the rest of the season.

"It is down to how consistent we can be, how much we turn up from the first minute until the 90th minute - all that will decide our championship."

Burnley preview
Burnley midfielder Graham Alexander is expected to make his return from a calf injury.

The 38-year-old has been out since January 26 but is fully recovered and will add some much-needed experience to the side.

Scotland striker Steven Fletcher is expected to play with a light cast on his wrist having broken a hand in training on international duty earlier this week.

Chris McCann is still ruled out with a knee injury which has sidelined him for the last four matches.

Laws knows just how difficult a task taking on Arsenal at home is, irrespective of Burnley's woeful away record which has seen them earn just one point from 14 matches.

But he insists they will not travel to London with a defeatist mentality.

"They are a top quality side but they are not invincible and that's how we've got to approach it," said Laws.

"We've worked so hard to get to this point, why should we go there and be fearful? "There's no point us getting on the coach if we are going to go there fearful.

"We have to go there with confidence and we will go there knowing that there is a result there if we want it.

"We have to make sure we are prepared right and mentally and physically we are switched on.

"The pressure is really on Arsenal. They are expected to beat us. That's the fact, but we have to go there and say we can change those facts and maybe get them a bit nervy.

Arsenal vs Burnley

Last modified 22:06 06/03/10

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Theo Walcott hit back at his critics with a fine display at the Emirates yesterday – and a strike which confirmed he has a football brain.

Stung by Chris Waddle’s ­attack on him after England’s victory against Egypt on Wednesday, Walcott proved he will be a key figure in ­Arsenal’s bid to win the Premier League for the first time since the ­historic triumph of The ­Invincibles six years ago.

The wideman, who is just coming back to form and ­fitness, was not only a ­constant thorn in the side of the ­Burnley defence — but he also popped up to score a crucial goal.

After his first international appearance of an injury-hit season, Waddle laid into ­Walcott, claiming: “I don’t think he’s got a football brain.”

But the 20-year-old’s breathtaking speed and ability to run at full-backs created a host of chances for the north ­Londoners — who would have won by a hatful had Nicklas Bendtner remembered where the goal was.

Given that the top flight’s leakiest defence were taking on the division’s joint most potent strikeforce, Arsenal were looking for a big win to leapfrog Chelsea on goal ­difference.

But the misfiring ­Bendtner fluffed five great chances — two of them absolute ­sitters, both set up by ­Walcott.

After 34 minutes of frustration, however, Cesc Fabregas decided to take matters into his own hands and break the deadlock with a sublime strike.

Fabregas found Samir Nasri, who chipped the ball over a bewildered Burnley defence as the Arsenal skipper ­ghosted past Graham Alexander to latch on to the return.

The Spaniard then nutmegged keeper Brian Jensen inside the six-yard box for his 17th goal of the season.

Worryingly for Wenger, however, the talismanic midfielder hobbled off a few minutes later to be replaced by Abou Diaby. “It is a hamstring scare,” said the French boss. “We don’t yet know how deep the damage is. He’s a doubt for Porto.”

Not long after the restart, the visitors shocked the home crowd by nicking an equaliser with a rare attack.

Emmanuel Eboue’s poor clearance was headed back in to the box by Leon Cort — and David Nugent nipped in ­between Thomas Vermaelen and Mikael Silvestre to coolly lob the ball over Manuel ­Almunia.

This only shocked the Gunners into upping the ante. Walcott had two good opportunities — but his first effort went wide and his second was blocked by Jensen.

The England star finally settled Arsenal’s nerves on the hour with a superbly taken goal — his first for five months.

Collecting the ball from Bendtner with his right foot, he turned inside Daniel Fox and curled a delicious left-foot shot past Jensen to make it 2-1. Then he celebrated by running to the bench and pointing to an imaginary watch on his wrist.

“Not only has he a football brain, he has a brain,” said Wenger. “He has only just come back from injury.

“People forget how young he is. There is a lot of pressure on him in England. We believe in him ­— he has the hunger to succeed.”

Just before the end, substitute Andrey Arshavin — who was also guilty of a couple of glaring misses — smashed a left-foot shot into the bottom corner to complete the ­Clarets’ misery.

Brian Laws’ side are now just four goals short of setting an unwanted new record for the most conceded in Premier League away games.

While Burnley face relegation, Arsenal — also-rans only a few weeks ago — are now strong title contenders with nine games left.

“It is now down to consistency,” said Wenger. “We will fight to the last. If we win all our games we will have a great chance.”