BURNLEY have apologised to fans who have missed out on tickets for Clarets trip to Arsenal after the club took a reduced allocation from the Gunners.

That has meant some fans have missed out on a ticket for the trip to the Emirates on Sunday, May 6 in a match that could be a shootout for a top six place in the Premier League.

But in seeking to explain the decision Burnley said the decision had to be made two weeks ago.

A spokesman for the Clarets supporters groups said: "Burnley FC Supporters Groups are extremely disappointed at the Football Club's decision to accept a reduced ticket allocation for our away game against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, May 6.

"This decision is particularly disappointing given this is potentially the biggest away game in which we will have been involved in our four years in the Premier League with a potential place in the Europa League at stake in this fixture against a direct opponent.

"The club's explanation is equally disappointing."

The statement from the supporters groups expressed disappointment that the decision came after successive wins at West Ham and West Brom that put the club into contention to qualify for Europe.

A club spokesman said there had been attempts to get more tickets from Arsenal this week, which had been rejected.

The statement read: “The allocation for Arsenal away has sold out, and after additional requests to Arsenal earlier this week there is no option available to Burnley FC to get any further tickets.

“We sympathise that, on this occasion, some supporters haven't been able to get a ticket, but the decision on our allocation was taken due to a number of factors, which at the time indicated that the take up of tickets may not reach the maximum.

“One is that the decision was necessary before the club had attained five consecutive wins (something never achieved at this level since 1968), and the fact Arsenal lost during that time, both of which heightened the demand.

“If we had the opportunity to make the decision on the allocation this week, then of course the request would have been different.

“However, the decision had to be made two weeks ago, and we can only base our request on the actual factors at the time, not on speculating fixture predictions.

“We apologise to those fans who wished to attend the game but were unable to obtain a ticket on this occasion. We will keep comments already received directly from supporters on record, and take them into consideration over the summer, when we intend to have a full review of ticketing policy.

“The club will not comment further on this matter.”

The supporters groups have also called for greater transparency regarding ticket sales next season, with the club confirming the allocation requested and received as well as providing updates on sales.