WE take a look at three talking points from Burnley's 3-1 defeat at Arsenal

Physicality

UNAI Emery and Sean Dyche didn’t see eye to eye at the full time whistle with an angry exchange of words while the Arsenal players weren’t overly enamoured with what they perceived as aggressive tactics from Burnley.

Emery played it down in his post match press conferences while Dyche felt the home sides' players had gone down too easily.

There were certainly a few strong challenges, it is a contact sport, but nothing over the top.

Burnley were never going to come and stand off the Gunners, it would have been a recipe for disaster. Instead they put their foot in when it was needed and battled to try and unsettle the home side.

As Dyche mentioned ahead of the game, if every team in the league stood off and tried to pass their way to victory then Manchester City would come out on top.

You have to find different ways to compete and to win games.

At the Emirates, Burnley were shorn of arguably their three most creative players in Steven Defour, Robbie Brady and Johan Berg Gudmundsson yet there were a number of occasions where the Clarets produced some pleasing football, the neat move leaving to Jack Cork’s second half chance an example

There is nothing wrong with playing to the physical strengths of Ashley Barnes, who fulfilled his usual role of pantomime villain, and Chris Wood.

There’s more than one way to skin a cat and while people are quick to eulogise a free flowing move, there is also room to appreciate a tackle.

We can’t take the physicality out of football and Burnley’s approach is firm but fair.

If Arsenal, or anyone else, don’t like it then tough.

The Clarets don’t go around kicking people, the simply compete, contend and challenge.

All things supporters appreciate.

Formation thinking

BURNLEY again went with five at the back, as they had done at Spurs, and generally looked solid in that shape.

Kevin Long (below) continues to impress while the absence of any wingers allowed Charlie Taylor, and to a certain extent Phil Bardsley, to get forward where possible.

The set-up is certainly one worth pursuing, particularly away from home, in a bid to pick up points in what is a battle against the drop in the second half of the season.

The question now is whether it can be effective at Turf Moor where the Clarets face Everton and West Ham in the space of four days in what appear two crunch games.

Creative spark

ONE problem with the 5-3-2 deployed at Arsenal is that it doesn’t allow for any wingers to be in the side.

Granted, Burnley were missing three with Aaron Lennon, Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Robbie Brady all injured. But the latter two could return on Saturday and the Clarets need to find some creativity from somewhere to open teams up.

One option could be to field Steven Defour, who was touch and go for the Arsenal trip, as the attacking man in a midfield three where the Belgian’s vision can be best utilised.

That would allow the Clarets to retain the formation used at the Emirates but whatever system is chosen, Burnley will be hoping to be able to call on at least of one of their injured stars.