Having seen his team lose two on the bounce over the last week, Unai Emery saw his players pull together once again and dispatch a struggling Burnley side at the Emirates Stadium yesterday.
Starting Lacazette and Aubameyang together, with captain Ozil in behind in a free creative role, it didnt take long for all three to link up and for Ozil himself to take centre stage. Some neat link up play between Ozil, Maitland-Niles and Lacazette ended with Ozil curling a delightful ball in behind to the steam train Kolasinac who pulled it back for Aubameyang to finish. Half time came at 1-0 with a basketball half very much the consensus so far. Arsenal came out the blocks fast to start the second period and a good midfield break then saw the maurauding Kolasinac again tank it down the left flank, square it to Lacazette who the played it on one or two more to find PEA who smashed home.
Burnely made it a nervy affair when they got one back through Barnes (who could and maybe should have seen red) before substitute Alex Iwobi sealed all three points in added time. 3-1 and job well done with the only dig of the day being Monreal who was withdrawn in the first half due to another potential injury.
With both Chelsea and Man City losing, this could be a vitally important three points as the Gunners are now back in touch with the top four.
Ratings
Bernd Leno: 7
Wasn't an overly busy day for the German who did look back to near his best. Unfortunate to concede but not his fault at all.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles: 7.5
Got up and down his flank well and crucially defended well again. Not in his preferred position, he shows a level of professionalism and discipline thats unmatched by many.
Sokratis: 7.5
Led the back line very well and got stuck in at good times where agression was needed. Got in a tangled tussle with Barnss but never allowed himself to lose control.
Nacho Monreal: 4.5
Was withdrawn mid way through the first stanza but was playing well up until this point.
Sead Kolasinac: 9
A superp two way performance from the tank who made himself available for every attack. His showed fitness and a willing we haven't seen before and delivered ball after ball of absolute quality.
Matteo Guendouzi: 7.5
Good from the young Frenchman who showed us all control and style once again. A tidy player, who at times looks busier than he actually is, gave everything and always gets stuck in.
Mohamed Elneny: 7
A first Premier League appearance of the season for Mo who put a good solid shift in before being substituted on the hour mark.
Granit Xhaka: 8
Moved from midfield back to centre half with the departure of Monreal but continued his quality ball distribution frlm there. A real tempo setter regardless of position.
Mesut Ozil: 8.5
Almost back to his best as we saw some expert number 10 football from the German wizard. Eventually slipped out the game around the 75 minute mark but delivered exactly what his team needed.
Alex Lacazette: 8
Another assist for the dynamic Frenchman who drifted wide well at times to drive his team forward. A very unselfish performance again, and have every right to be frustrated when being withdrawn.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: 9
Another double for the League's now top marksman who expertly finished two good goals. Both were pretty good team goals but without his finishing prowess, the Gunners would struggle.
Subs
Stephan Lichtsteiner: 7.5
Came on early and with it changed the team from a four to a three in defence. Again, the hard Swissman performed well at CB. Confident passing combined with good communication saw his have a pretty comfortable afternoon.
Lucas Torreira: 7
Came on for the final half an hour to solidify the centre of the park. He did exactly that and got stuck on from the get go, and provided a more natural defensive shield.
Alex Iwobi: 6
Saw the fifteen minutes or so and gor forward well. Scored the clincher in the final few minutes having followed in well.
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