Arfield remains positive

The Clarets have failed to pick up three points in any of their first nine Premier League games, as good performances have not translated into wins.

The brutally clinical finishing at this level has often proved the difference between the sides, but Arfield said: “I think at certain stages, we’ve played better than we did last season.

“If the ball goes in the net and we get a wee bit of luck here and there, people take a different look at it.

“We’ve been playing terrific football and if we get that goal that changes the game at certain times, we’ll be off.”

Boss Sean Dyche had warned his players that their results graph, full of Ws last season, and the fewest Ls in the country, was likely to change, but the lacks of Ws so far hasn’t shaken their belief: “The manager instills positivity in us, After a game, you can’t go out and play it again, so you just have to get on with it.

“It’s all letters. You need to win to stay in this division.

“Once you get a taste for this division, you don’t want to let go. It’s such a fantastic league to be involved in. The teams, players and stadiums, that’s why it’s important for us to start putting wins on the board.”

And he would love to celebrate his 26th birthday with victory at the Emirates: “Getting the win’s the first thing. Anything after that such as a goal would be a bonus.

“We’re trying to get that first elusive win and the more we get of them, the better chance we’ll have of staying in this league.

“I don’t have any plans, 3 p.m. to 5-45 p.m. will be the exact same – trying to get that win.”

Arfield may be enjoying a remarkable journey in his career, having been released by Huddersfield, with moves to Southend or MK Dons a possibility, to winning a contract with Burnley, and scoring nine goals in helping win promotion to the Premier League.

But he was disappointed to see some prized momentos stolen from his car in the summer, which are yet to resurface: “They took out of my car in Huddersfield.

“They took my Huddersfield shirt, Burnley shirt and the Huddersfield medal. They left the Burnley one! I’ve still got that one.

“I’m trying to get them all redone and I’m talking to the PFA to try to get a replica medal – I don’t think it’s going to turn up. Bit of misfortune.

“I was going to get them all framed. I put them all in the car the night before.

“It’s the sentimental factor. It means more to me than anyone else, so it was quite upsetting when it happened. That’s life, you move on.”