NICK Pope insists the Clarets squad aren’t concerned about whether they are getting the praise they deserve as their flying start to the campaign continues.

Seventh place Burnley host Arsenal on Sunday sitting level on points with the Gunners.

Sean Dyche’s side are just one point off the top four but despite suffering just two defeats in 12 games this term they are continuing to fly under the radar - not that it is bothering the squad.

“We just go about our business, do it our way and go where we go,” Pope said.

“If attention goes on others, we’ll just do what we do, if that attention comes, it comes, if it doesn’t, it’s neither here nor there.”

Burnley could certainly attract more headlines with a win over the Gunners and Pope added: “It’s why you want to play in the Premier League to play against the big teams and hopefully we can get some more points.”

Pope’s performances have been crucial to the Clarets’ recent form with the 25-year-old keeping six clean sheets in nine games since replacing the injured Tom Heaton.

And the former Charlton Athletic man said the defensive unit were well aware of their record this season.

“I don’t know every stat, percentages and things like that, but we just look for clean sheets - I think anyone in the back five does that,” Pope said.

“So far so good. We’ve played really well all season, we’ve built from the back and worked forward, and that’s what’s been working for us.

“We train hard every day and take it into the weekend, and we’ve performed well and got the points we deserve.”

Pope had never played a Premier League minute until he came on just before the break against Crystal Palace for the injured Heaton.

But he has thrived in the starting XI and puts that down to his commitment in training, even when he’s had to play second fiddle to the captain.

“I’ve always trained hard, it’s the best thing to do, there’s no point doing anything less,” he said.

“If you do get your chance, however it comes, you’ve got to be ready.

“It is hard not playing at the weekend after training all week but you give yourself the best chance, although when you do come off the bench it’s hard to be prepared - it’s not like an outfield player getting 20 minutes at the end, it’s a key position, and you’re in at the deep end.

“It’s nice when that occurs to come through it as we did.”

And while the first 10 minutes of his top flight career were a blur, Pope has felt settled since getting the half-time break against Palace to calm his nerves.

“I can remember it quite clearly, it was 10 minutes before half-time and that was a bit of a blur, when the nerves are going,” he added.

“But I had 15 minutes at half-time to breathe, and to come out second half and keep a clean sheet and a win was a great start.”