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Arsenal host Burnley this afternoon, looking to continue their newly invigorated assault on the Premier League title. Victory at Stoke last weekend saw the Gunners close the gap between themselves and Chelsea to just three points.

The three points came at a price, but the horrific injury to Aaron Ramsey seems to have galvanised rather than stymied the sides hunger for a first league title in six seasons. The immediate reaction at the Britannia was certainly in refreshing contrast to the collapse that followed Eduardo's leg break in 2008.

Some are now tipping Arsenal to end their barren run on the basis of their easier run-in. One game that would appear to be something of a formality on paper is the visit of Burnley to the Emirates. Since earning their place at the top table the Lancastrian's have picked up just one point on their travels. New boss Brian Laws identified the clubs atrocious away form as a problem when he took over in January, but since then they have continued to falter. In fact their home form has also taken a turn for the worse, with the relegation battlers collecting just three points from their last eight matches.

Arsene Wenger will have everything crossed that Abou Diaby can shake off his knee injury and fill in one of the considerable holes left by the suspended Alex Song and the injured Ramsey. Andrey Arshavin is at a similar stage in his recovery from a hamstring problem but is unlikely to figure from the start. Given the form of Nicklas Bendtner, the Dane has three goals in three matches for club and country, you can still expect Arsenal to have too much for their relegation threatened visitors.

The home side's defensive problems will be of some inspiration to Burnley; with William Gallas and Sol Campbell both sidelined, Mikael Silvestre will be given a rare start alongside the almost ever present Thomas Vermaelen. Add to that the absence of the excellent Song and Arsenal's already penetrable defensive unit looks even less formidable. 

If they are to fully exploit this weakness Burnley will need Steven Fletcher to play in spite of his broken hand. The Scotland international has enjoyed a successful first season in the top flight and leads his clubs goalscoring charts with eleven. 

With Chelsea in FA cup action on Sunday, and Manchester United not playing until 5.30 on Saturday evening, an Arsenal victory would put the pressure back on their title rivals heading into a defining stage of the season.