Dwight McNeil admits Premier League survival was the be all and end all for Burnley after a campaign full of ups and downs at Turf Moor. 

The Clarets finished 15th in the table after going down to a 3-1 defeat at home to Arsenal on the final day of the campaign.

But that safety had been secured with time to spare is seen as something of an achievement from Sean Dyche's men given the perilous state they found themselves in at one point. 

Following the 5-1 home defeat to Everton on Boxing Day, in which McNeil appeared as a second-half substitute, alarm bells began to ring with the Clarets three points from safety. 

That proved to be a watershed through with Dyche's side ultimately six points clear of the bottom three come the season's end. 

McNeil was key to that, the teenager impressing down the left-hand side in the second-half of the campaign as he made 25 appearances in all competitions and scored three goals in a breakthrough season. 

"We’re pretty happy, especially because of where we were 19 games in (the Everton defeat)," said the 19-year-old. 

"It was looking a bit tough but the lads have turned that around in the second half of the season and been fantastic. 

"It was hard but we’re still in the Premier League and get to fight another year."

McNeil played the first hour of the reverse against Arsenal as the season drew to a close. 

After a pulsating first half ended goalless, a Jack Cork error allowed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to open the scoring with the Gabon striker soon doubling the Gunners' advantage to take home a share of the Premier League Golden Boot. 

Ashley Barnes swiftly reduced the arrears to one but Eddie Nketiah made sure of the points for Unai Emery's side with the final kick of the game. 

"I thought we played well, especially in the first half," McNeil said. 

"Second half they got the goal and it made it difficult for the lads. 

"Their quality came out but that is what you’re going to get from these top teams. 

"They’re a good side who made their chances count and we didn’t."

For McNeil is was another chance to test himself against the very best, the winger having to work hard in both attack and helping out the defence last Sunday. 

"Games like that are what it’s about for me," he said. 

"Getting a new experience and learning and taking new things from every game, which I’m doing. I’m enjoying it."