After conquering North London last week, Arsene Wenger’s Gunners marched to Turf Moor to visit Burnley. Sean Dyche’s Clarets have had a stunning form of their own but there definitely was a certain buzz in the Arsenal team. The game started with the hosts putting in a brave display and both threw shots at each other repeatedly.
In the second half, however, Arsenal stepped their game up and went about with a certain hunger but it was nullified due to Burnley’s resilience. Everything pointed at a draw except for Lee Mason’s finger as he pointed to the penalty spot after seeing Tarkowski’s illegal push on Ramsey. Alexis Sanchez put the ball in the net and history repeated itself as Arsenal took three massive away points. Here’s how the gunners have been rated:-
GK: Petr Cech – 7/10
He had to be alert throughout the game and made some very important saves. His positioning to deny Brady’s free-kick, his use of the body and hands to collect or punch away the crosses stood out. Good performance and a nice clean-sheet for the veteran.
RWB: Hector Bellerin – 5.5/10
Didn’t look at his best today. Couldn’t provide much in the attack and he was troubled at times at the back.
CB: Laurent Koscielny – 7/10
His involvement was crucial today and his experience showed. He stopped the attack a lot of times and made a significant header to deny Barnes. A top display!
CB: Shkodran Mustafi – 7.5/10
He was supreme today. Complimented Koscielny perfectly and almost everything he did at the back was perfect. Won a lot of headers and maintained a good position to knock the threats off. Arsenal certainly can’t do without him at the moment.
CB: Nacho Monreal – 6.5/10
Involved himself in the game well and threatened to score one or two times. He also defended neatly whenever it was needed and by the looks of the game, he was called into action a lot of times. He stood his ground confidently.
LWB: Sead Kolasinac – 6/10
Marched forward with authority whenever he got the chance but the end product was lacking a bit. Decent but not so grand.
CM: Granit Xhaka – 6/10
Couldn’t do much as the game was played more aerially in the first half but he pitched in during the second half. Did quite a bit to have an influence on proceedings and tackled sharply as well in one particular incident.
CM: Aaron Ramsey – 6/10
Good work rate but did nothing significant except for getting a penalty for being a victim of an illegal push. He also blasted a ball from Lacazette over.
FW: Alex Iwobi – 3/10
Largely ineffective and didn’t look like a threat at all.
LF: Alexis Sanchez – 5.5/10
Not involved at all in the first half but became better in the second. Gave the ball away a lot of times but he did look like a threat on few occasions. Kept his cool and scored the important penalty.
ST: Alexandre Lacazette – 5/10
A silent afternoon and his best attempt at providing something was the ball he played for Ramsey.
Substitutes:-
AM: Jack Wilshere – 6/10
Almost scored the opener and his energy pushed some drive into the team.
FW: Danny Welbeck – 5/10
Came on late but he was mediocre and Burnley dealt well with him.
