“We play common sense football” claims Burnley Midfielder

Clarets Midfielder Ashley Westwood has put emphasis on Burnley’s style of play as a large reason as to why they find themselves level on points with teams like Arsenal.

The two teams met Sunday afternoon, playing out a dire 0-0 draw at Turf Moor. Beforehand, Westwood spoke to Andy Hodgson’s Kicking Off to discuss all things from the modern phenomena of playing out from the back to the club’s aims for the rest of the season.

Many put the current trend of playing out from the goalkeeper down to foreign managerial influences such as Pep Guardiola. As Westwood geared up to face an Arsenal side led by Pep’s understudy Mikel Arteta, he gave his thoughts on the tactic.

“Obviously they are going to break free every now and then because they are top quality players but if they are playing about with it in their own area it gives you more chance of winning the ball higher up and gives you more chance of scoring a goal.”

“The way teams are playing now and playing out from the back; it suits us to press high up. If you win the ball in their box you’ve got more of a chance of scoring, we like to call it common sense football.”

After a shaky opening half hour yesterday, Burnley actually had the better of the chances. Jay Rodriguez was within half a goal-line away from snatching all three points after his effort rattled off the bar and landed just centimetres from finishing over the line.

Sean Dyche bemoaned his side’s luck when it came to refereeing decisions in previous meetings against Arsenal before a ball was kicked yesterday. He was seen remonstrating with the fourth official a number of times throughout the game.

However, Dyche can be much chirpier over his side’s season so far. Burnley currently sit just outside the top 10 on 31 points, level with an Arsenal side who have double the transfer budget.

Westwood revealed to Love Sport the Clarets aims for the remainder of the campaign; “It was a great start to the season, we had a bit of a tricky spell which you are going to get in the Premier League. We are five points off Sheffield United so it’s been a good season for us. A steady season, but we want to finish stronger like we always do.”

“Obviously the aim is to stay in the Premier League, we had a taste of Europe and we thoroughly enjoyed it.”

Listen to Andy Hodgson’s Kicking Off on Love Sport every Sunday from 12pm.