Clarets midfielder wary of Gunners

Published Dec. 14, 2009 8:37 p.m. ET

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The Scottish midfielder scored twice last season when Burnley ended the young Gunners' Carling Cup campaign but admits that it is a different prospect playing the senior side at Turf Moor on Wednesday night. The 21-year-old believes however that the burden of expectation will be on Arsene Wenger's side - and that Burnley can take advantage. McDonald said: "The match last season was probably the highlight of my career so far, it was a really special occasion. "You can't look back at that though - this will be a different team. "They are not sitting close to the top of the league for nothing, and they are a great footballing side. "Guys like (Andrey) Arshavin, (Cesc) Fabregas and (William) Gallas are all top players and it's only once every so often that you get to play against these boys, so you just have to take your chance. "We are underdogs every game we play home and away and that's a benefit for us - no one expects anything from us." McDonald, who is likely to start on the bench again on Wednesday, insists however that Clarets boss Coyle will not tell his players to try to defend for a draw. "He wants us to go out and attack and play football - which we will do," added McDonald. "We don't need to be gung-ho right from the start, we will bed ourselves into the game and then start playing our football and hopefully get a result from there." Arsenal have forced their way back into contention for the Premier League title after coming back from a goal down at Liverpool on Sunday to win 2-1 - thanks to a half-time blast from the usually reserved Wenger. McDonald said Coyle will not shrink from delivering a similar wake-up call if Burnley are off the pace on Wednesday. He said: "He's quite positive but every manager likes to shout and throw things every so often and he's no different. But he's a good motivator and gets everyone going." Burnley are likely to have the same squad available as drew 1-1 with Fulham at the weekend. Coyle reported only bumps and bruises meaning the only players missing are long-term absentees Martin Paterson, Chris McCann and Jay Rodriguez.