Lancashire

Natalie Bromley
Fan writer

Image source, PA Media

Have you seen that advert from before the most recent Women's World Cup, fronted by male stars such as Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann which showcases the French footballing skill on the international stage? Except there is a twist - it is, in fact, coverage of the women's team with the male players super-imposed over the top.

Well, imagine it is Monday 18 May, 2026 and you are watching Arsenal take on Burnley in a crucial Premier League game which may well dictate the destination of the title. Hannibal Mejbri lunges in on Declan Rice in a reckless and high challenge, plunging his studs into Rice's calf muscles. The referee makes no hesitation in showing Hannibal a straight red and Burnley are left with 10 men as he makes his way down the tunnel.

"But that's not them you've just seen" is the headline in the French advert. And oh, don't we know it. Because this is the Premier League and VAR in 2026.

There is not a scenario in the world where Kai Havertz should have stayed on the pitch following his awful challenge on Lesley Ugochukwu.

A statement from the Premier League Match Centre said: "The referee's call of yellow card to Havertz was checked and confirmed by VAR - with the challenge deemed not to be serious foul play."

VAR is done. What is the point of it? Every single week we are reviewing mistakes and controversy and trying to understand baffling decisions. I will not miss it one bit next season.

In the meantime, there was a lot to be said about Burnley's own performance.

Mike Jackson has them playing with a little more freedom and we are a little more attacking. It is unclear as to the value of this improved confidence, given we do not yet know how many of this side will be sold in the summer, but beating Wolves on Sunday to avoid finishing bottom would be a morale boost for the fans.

Find more from Natalie Bromley at No Nay Never podcast, external

Image source, Getty Images

Burnley were beaten 1-0 by title-chasers Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Monday and we asked for your views on the Clarets' performance against the Gunners.

Here are some of your replies:

Neil: A battling performance overall, however the different class told in the end. The result in games often hinge on one decision and, as usual, VAR chose to ignore an obvious red card decision in favour of Burnley. Who knows what could have happened against a 10-man Arsenal? Good riddance to VAR next season, it has ruined the fans' enjoyment of the game.

Steve: Another satisfying performance from Burnley, albeit too little too late. We are playing more freely and we are attacking teams, yet we are now more solid in defence.

Simon: Considering the way this season has gone, Burnley's display at Arsenal deserved huge credit. Mike Jackson has immediately done what supporters had been pleading for all year - take the handbrake off. Burnley still had to defend heroically for long periods against the league's best side, but there was finally an attacking threat too. Loum Tchaouna's pace and Jaidon Anthony's creativity are no longer being restricted by an overly cautious setup. The biggest frustration is this shift in approach has arrived far too late, leaving many wondering what might have happened if the change come before our fate was effectively sealed.

Alex Howell
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It was always going to tough for Burnley, given the disappointing season they have had, to get a result away to the league leaders.

The Clarets, rooted in 19th place since November, have suffered their third Premier League relegation in five seasons and are without a permanent manager following the departure of Scott Parker.

They have won just one of their past 27 league games and managed just two away victories all season.

Winger Loum Tchaouna did provide a bright spark for Burnley, almost helping his side into an unlikely first-half lead when his cross was put wide by Hannibal Mejbri.

Jaidon Anthony also gave Burnley threat down the other wing with his pace but he could only produce a curling effort that went over the bar in the second half.

Burnley reached 100 points the last time they were in the Championship, to earn promotion to the Premier League, and can only hope that they can bounce back again after failing to establish themselves this time around.

Burnley interim boss Mike Jackson speaking to the BBC: "Over the last two games, they have been positive performances. We knew the challenge that we were coming into tonight. A lot of people probably thought we might give up after what happened with the relegation and accused the boys of not trying, so I am really pleased tonight and the last game as well to show what they are actually capable of.

"The capability they have got and showed, that has to be a minimum for them. At this level, they can do it and they have shown that tonight, they showed it against Villa. We came on the wrong side of the result, and a decision that I think is not the best, but I am really pleased for the group.

"It has been there in spells but it is just the consistency. If you are not winning games, that can affect the confidence. It is a young group in terms of experience and they are learning. I am sure you will see some of that team, some of that group in the Premier League, whether it is this year, next year or years to come, because there is a lot of talent just not the experience needed."

On the Havertz non-red: "Yes you know the one I am talking about. In today's game, it is a red card and it is dangerous. He could have injured him as well. That means that they go down to 10 with 20 minutes to go, we are still in the game. We stayed in the game as long as we could. They're big decisions that sometimes we don't get, and we haven't got throughout the season."

On the future of the club: "I've not thought about that. I've had this remit for the last three games and that is all I'm focused on, to be honest."

Did you know?

• Burnley suffered their 24th Premier League defeat of the season, equalling their most league defeats in a season, also losing 24 in 2009-10 and 2023-24.

• Burnley's Lucas Pires has never ended on the winning side in any of his 19 Premier League appearances (D8 L11), with only Ben Brereton (24) ever playing more games without a win in Premier League history.

• Burnley have failed to score in 14 of their 37 games, only Wolverhampton Wanderers (19) have failed to score more often in the Premier League this season.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Arsenal's performance

What did you make of Burnley's display?

Come back on Tuesday for a selection of your replies

With right-back Ben White out with a knee injury that will see him miss the World Cup, Cristhian Mosquera is his replacement.

That is one of three changes from the Arsenal side that began the 1-0 win at West Ham. Kai Havertz gets the nod up front, with Viktor Gyokeres among the substitutes, while Martin Odegaard is back in midfield, replacing Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Arsenal XI: Raya, Calafiori, Gabriel, Saliba, Mosquera, Odegaard, Rice, Trossard, Eze, Saka, Havertz.

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly, Zubimendi, Dowman, Martinelli, Madueke, Jesus, Gyokeres.

Already-relegated Burnley name the same 11 that began the 2-2 draw with Aston Villa on 10 May.

Burnley XI: Weiss, Pires, Esteve, Tuanzebe, Walker, Ugochukwe, Florentino, Anthony, Mejbri, Tchaouna, Flemming.

Subs: Dubravka, Hartman, Humphreys, Worrall, Ward-Prowse, Laurent, Bruun Larsen, Amdouni, Edwards.