As the only side challenging the Premier League’s established top order this season, Burnley have attracted widespread praise for their performances.

Arsene Wenger has been hugely impressed with Sean Dyche’s side and said, ahead of Sunday’s trip to Turf Moor, that his side would have to be wary of their “killing instinct”.

“They are the surprise package because before the season if you asked 100 people if Burnley would have 22 points at this stage of the season, 90 would have said no - and the 10 others would have been Burnley supporters,” the Arsenal manager said.

“So overall they have done extremely well. They benefit as well from the fact that Sean Dyche has done an outstanding job but also from the stability in their team. They know each other for years now and that is why they are a difficult proposal for anyone now.

“Turf Moor is a very difficult place to go for everybody. I believe that their capacity to be efficient with a restricted possession as well [is a big strength].

“They have won games with 25 per cent or 30 per cent possession, that means they are calm, they know what to do and they are patient with that killing instinct of a snake. They put you to their face and then they bite you.”