Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says he respects the direct style of Burnley manager Sean Dyche's football.

Arteta refused to join the critics as he instead heaped praise on the opposition ahead of Sunday's game.

"For me, it is very clever and intelligent and well-guided what they do. That is not anti-football. Football has to be expressed in different ways," Arteta told reporters.

"They build everything surrounding their strengths and they pick the right players all the time to do what they do and they do it super well. Season by season, look what they do."

Arteta will welcome back Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from suspension for the game, and he says the Arsenal skipper could be crucial.

"All the games are really tight, but obviously defensively Burnley has been a difficult team to break down," he said.

"Having players that can unlock that door straight away is a big advantage and that is why Auba is so important for this club."