Dean Marney set to return

Midfielder Dean Marney is set to return to the squad at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
Dean Marney challenges Chelsea's Cesar AzpilicuetaDean Marney challenges Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta
Dean Marney challenges Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta

The 30-year-old, who started his career with Arsenal’s North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, has missed the last four games with a hamstring strain.

But he is back in full training, and boss Sean Dyche said: “Deano’s had a good couple of days at the beginning of the week, before our day off on Wednesday, and if he comes through the next couple of days unscathed, it will put him back into contention.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Steven Reid is on his way back, he’s training on the grass but is not quite there yet.

“Sam Vokes is still going well, and then there’s Matty Taylor, so we’re starting to tick them off.”

Today Dyche celebrates two years in charge at Turf Moor, taking Burnley from 14th in the Championship to the Premier League, and he looked back: “It’s been quite a journey, we’ve made massive strides forward, so I’m really pleased and proud.

“But it is all about taking it forward again.

“There were a lot of things I felt were important to put into place, to help move the club forward on and off the pitch.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“You’re judged from the outside on results on the pitch, but along the journey I’ve made it clear, even through testing times, good work is going on, and I’m pleased where the journey has taken us so far, but we still can move forward.”

He has some way to go to challenge Arsene Wenger, who is the longest-serving manager in England at 18 years, and Dyche said: “I have respect for all managers, but what Arsene has achieved has been amazing.”

“I have respect for all managers, but especially Arsene Wenger, he’s been doing it for years.

“It’s a totally different level of the market, but even he has had his questions about what he has spent or not spent in order to be successful, with what he has achieved, to still be questioned in some quarters shows that money rules a lot of the Premier League.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“What he has achieved is becoming a rarity, you can only look at the likes of Sir Alex, David Moyes...

“It is amazing what he has done there, building teams, playing styles, and to do it for that length of time is remarkable.

“The demand nowadays for instant success is powerful.

“I can remember Keith Burkinshaw, in his first season with Spurs, getting relegated and the rest is history. They stuck with him, and he did a fantastic job.

“It wouldn’t happen nowadays, and just shows the job Arsene has done.”