Burnley boss Vincent Kompany believes his side “cannot feel sorry” for themselves as they continue their bid for Premier League survival against Arsenal this weekend.
Time is ticking for the Clarets, who sit seven points adrift of safety with 14 games to go and will come up against the title-chasing Gunners at Turf Moor.
Burnley have only picked up five points at Turf Moor this season – the worst home record in the top flight – but there are signs of life after going unbeaten on their own patch since the turn of the year, drawing their last two against Luton and Fulham.
Kompany thinks his team have been unlucky not to pick up more points but insists they cannot dwell on it.
He said: “Plenty of good games to look back on, plenty of good performances but in the end we cannot feel sorry for ourselves.
“It’s just been a reality for us and that’s what every game we are looking to improve and every game is a new beginning.
“Last year was one massive party every home game and this year we have had to go through tough times but it hasn’t come from the lack of desire to make it a fortress.
“But I can’t go back and feel sorry for ourselves. We’ve played good games and not won but we’ve got to win and I’m not just speaking about Arsenal specifically.”
Burnley have the second worst defensive record in the league after leaking 50 goals so far and will have their work cut out when they face an Arsenal side brimming with confidence following their 6-0 hammering of West Ham.
Kompany has chosen not to focus on the past but is instead looking to the future to fix their problems.
He added: “I find it tough sometimes on the lads because I see the work they put in, the integrity of the job.
“They really try and don’t always get punished in the most obvious ways, it’s been a number of issues with how we’ve conceded goals but I have to say again tomorrow is a new beginning so everything that has happened beforehand, don’t let it define us in the future.”
Burnley have been on a tough spell recently – they have played four teams who are currently occupying the European places in their last six games – and Kompany knows his players have to be ready to “over achieve” at the weekend.
He said: “You have to focus on these types of games because they have players who can make the difference, so we have to be ready to over achieve.
“It’s a mindset you create before the game and the consistency in preparing for the game.”
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