Arsenal’s winning run, and clean sheets, continued on Saturday afternoon at Turf Moor as Arsenal ran out 2-0 winners, with goals in the first half coming from Viktor Gyokeres and Declan Rice. Arsenal blew Burnley away in a scintillating period in the first half which saw Bukayo Saka twice draw big saves from Martin Dubravka and Leandro Trossard having a follow up shot cleared off the line.
The second half was a more even affair, as Arsenal eased off the gas a bit and were lacking the same threat in behind after Viktor Gyokeres withdrawn, hopefully as a precaution, at half time. Still Burnley failed to test David Raya and aside from a dangerous cross that was headed over around the 70 minute mark and a Marcus Edwards free kick that struck the post, deep into stoppage time, they didn’t really lay a glove on Arsenal.
The result cemented Arsenal’s place at the top of the league, with nearest club Bournemouth now 7 points adrift, albeit with a game in hand. Arsenal face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light next Saturday tea time, following a midweek Champions League trip to Slavia Prague, in what will be another tough away trip that Arsenal need to overcome. For now though, Arsenal will savour another win and another clean sheet and send a message to their title rivals, we mean business this season.
David Raya – 7
A spectator for the first half as Arsenal dominated the game, but had to be alert on occasions in the second, as Burnley threatened. Distribution was good and he claimed the odd cross well however, Burnley joined a host of recently defeated foes who failed to get a shot on target so he never actually made a save…again!
Best moment:
Can’t really pick one, as he had nothing to do.
Jurrien Timber – 7
Yet another strong showing from the Dutchman, as he shut down Burnley’s threat down his side and also looked dangerous going forward. Linked well with Bukayo Saka and flew on the overlap to good effect.
Best moment:
A brilliant run into the box almost led to a third Arsenal goal, but we couldn’t quite make contact with Trossard’s dinked pass.
William Saliba – 7
Apparently a doubt for this game, yet there was no doubting the Frenchman’s appetite for another clean sheet as he fought for every ball and defending the box well from Burnley’s long balls and set pieces. Decent in possession as well and a threat at set pieces at the other end. The guy is just rock solid.
Best moment:
Nothing sticks out as Gabriel and Saliba shut down Burnley’s attacks before they had even started on most occasions.
Gabriel – 8
Was imperious at the back once again as he marshalled his way to another clean sheet. Cleared nearly every long throw-in personally, one of which starting the counter attack for Rice’s goal, and just refused to let anyone past him. A menace at the other end as well as he turned created from Declan Rice’s corner to put the ball back across goal for the opener.
Best moment:
A lovely deft touch to lay the opening goal on a plate for Gyokeres to head home. Is really making assisting a habit. I also loved the rollicking he gave to his fellow defenders following Burnley’s headed chance that went over. I wouldn’t want to give away a cheap goal if I was playing alongside Big Gabi!!
Riccardo Calafiori- 7
More rampageous than he has been lately. Took up numerous attacking positions and nearly helped himself to another goal, but turned back into trouble and the chance was gone. Strong defensively, as he has been all season.
Best moment:
No specific eye catching moments, although his pressure, from the centre forward position, lead to Burnley conceding the corner from which we opened the scoring. So difficult to pick up when he makes those runs.
Martin Zubimendi – 7
Kept things ticking over nicely without every really straining himself too much. Some nice lofted passes into the channels to get attacks started and he generally intercepted everything that came through the middle. Worryingly substituted for Christian Norgaard late on.
Best moment:
Nothing stands out.
Declan Rice – 9 – PLAYER OF THE MATCH
In light of the fact that he usually covers every blade of grass, I’d say he covered them all twice against Burnley. Absolutely imperious throughout. Dangerous in attack, including contributing to another corner, and also grabbing a goal yet, he was probably better in defence, which shows how ridiculously good he was on the day. There was no kitchen sink from Burnley as Rice just intercepted everything in the second half and made sure the sink got nowhere near our goal. Outstanding,
Best moment:
So hard to choose as he was involved in a lot of Arsenal’s best moments. He doesn’t get that many goals from open play so I’ll go for his headed goal, rather than yet another pinpoint corner. Becomes boringly accurate after a while! 😊
Eberechi Eze – 6
Lively, if not spectacular. Enjoyed the first half as he found pockets of space and linked the midfield and Gyokeres nicely. Not really involved greatly in the second period and was withdrawn for Ethan Nwaneri.
Best moment:
Some nice touches in the first half yet known worthy of specific mention.
Bukayo Saka – 7
A real mixed bag for the original star boy today, as he was a real threat in the first half, yet squandered two really presentable chances. Dubravka saved both well, but the question remains that if Saka was on top form, would the goalkeeper have got anyone near them? He’s clearly still finding his way back to form, and while others are banging the goals in, we can afford the odd off day from Saka. It makes such a change from previous seasons when it felt like our whole attack relied upon Saka’s form and fitness.
Best moment:
It was a perfectly timed run for the second chance, even if Saka’s attempt was saved.
Viktor Gyokeres – 8
His best performance in an Arsenal shirt, hands down, even though he only played 45 minutes. What a 45 minutes though. Started off the scoring with a really strikers goal, as he was in the right place at the right time to head home the opening goal. Then turned provider on numerous occasions and should have had at least a couple of assists to his name, if not for the wastefulness of his teammates. Played a key part in the second goal and his runs and linkup play were first class throughout. Sorely missed in the second half, as he was withdrawn at the break in what we hope was a precautionary measure.
Best moment:
He’s a striker, so it has to be his goal. Right place, right time, bang.
Leandro Trossard – 7
Continued his strong form with another lively and industrious display. Great battle with Kyle Walker, in which the Belgian largely came out on top. Laid on the second goal for Rice with a beautiful cross. Played several other excellent dinks/crosses into the box that so nearly lead to further goals for Arsenal.
Best moment:
It was a brilliant cross that gained Trossard the assist for Rice’s goal, nevertheless, I preferred the build up to his chance that was cleared off the line. He followed in Saka’s saved chance well, kept a cool head, lovely feet to dance past the defenders and was so unlucky not to find the back of the net.
Subs:
Mikel Merino – Given a thankless task in some ways as the Spaniard does not have the skillset to be a like for like replacement for Viktor Gyokeres and the team therefore struggled after Merino’s introduction, through no fault of his own. Some nice lay offs and battled well, but it feels like we’ve moved pass the striker experiment and I would have preferred a more mobile player to have slotted in upfront in Merino’s place. Lovely touch to lay on the chance of Norgaard late on. Needs to play in midfield from now on.
Piero Hincapie – Came on for Calafiori with around 20 minutes to play and was solid defensively. Didn’t get chance to offer anything in the other direction.
Ethan Nwaneri – Another lively cameo from the Hale End product as he stakes his claim for a starting spot in our now congested attacking midfield slot. Tried his best to make things happen, with some nice touches and runs, including a great driving run that led to Nwaneri shooting over. Maybe could have passed to Trossard, but he had fashioned the chance for himself so I don’t see anything wrong with being a bit greedy sometimes. Always backs his own shooting ability, which I like.
Christian Norgaard – Came on for Zubimendi late on to shore things up. Nearly scored his first goal from outside the box late on.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – Came on really late on as Arsenal again went to a back five to see out the final minutes of the game.