The Gunners held on to all three points with a tough 2-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium in what was ultimately the real arrival of Dani Ceballos in Arsenal colours.
The young Spaniard lit up north London from minute one as he fully engulfed himself in the role of chief creator for Unai Emery's side. And although the first forty-five wasn't a classic by any means, Ceballos was head and shoulders above everyone else on the pitch. However, Arsenal did take a lead into the interval after some great individual work by Alex Lacazette saw him pick up a low corner, swivel and hold off his man (whilst being manhandled) before rocketing one through the goalie's legs whilst being flat out on the turf. A great piece of hunger and determination, and a good start with half an hour still to play in the first half.
Burnley did what Burnely do though, as long balls and physical play kept coming throughout the half. Eventually pressure took its toll and Ashley Barnes slipped one in from short range to level it up just before the break, after some fairly calamitous Arsenal defending. And you can't say it wasn't coming either.
The Gunners started off the second period as much the better team and it didn't take long for them to regain the lead. Quick midfield pressure from the main man Ceballos meant the ball bounced forward back towards Burnely's goal. Aubameyang latched onto the lose ball and drove forward with pace and power before slotting one into the near post to give his side a well deserved lead. With half the half still left, it was all about management from here on in.
Having seen Pepe come on at half time to inject some more life into attacks, we saw Emery make his final two subs later on in a bid to control the game and claim the win. Kolasinac and Torreira came on to solidify the midfield and stifle Burnely further and both proved to be good moves from the man in charge. Eventually we heard the final whistle and saw the red and white of Arsenal sat at the top of the Premier League, albeit only for a few hours.
Ratings
Unai Emery: 8
Having started a strong back four and both his star strikers, the only real questions were over his midfield selection. With Xhaka unavailable, Emery had a real decision to make and he got it pretty spot on, in fairness. He again made a sub early to get things going and although it would have been great to see Pepe from the off, Nelson did nothing wrong last week to warrant being dropped either. But the early decision from the Head Coach to make a change at half time was a good one once again. Giving youth a chance again was also good to see.
Bernd Leno: 6
Ainsley Maitland-Niles: 6
Sokratis: 6
David Luiz: 6
Nacho Monreal: 7
Matteo Guendouzi: 6.5
Joe Willock: 6
Dani Ceballos: 9
Reiss Nelson: 6
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: 7.5
Alex Lacazette: 7.5
Subs
Nicolas Pepe: 6
Sead Kolasinac: 5
Lucas Torreira: 5
@craigbennett10
The young Spaniard lit up north London from minute one as he fully engulfed himself in the role of chief creator for Unai Emery's side. And although the first forty-five wasn't a classic by any means, Ceballos was head and shoulders above everyone else on the pitch. However, Arsenal did take a lead into the interval after some great individual work by Alex Lacazette saw him pick up a low corner, swivel and hold off his man (whilst being manhandled) before rocketing one through the goalie's legs whilst being flat out on the turf. A great piece of hunger and determination, and a good start with half an hour still to play in the first half.
Burnley did what Burnely do though, as long balls and physical play kept coming throughout the half. Eventually pressure took its toll and Ashley Barnes slipped one in from short range to level it up just before the break, after some fairly calamitous Arsenal defending. And you can't say it wasn't coming either.
The Gunners started off the second period as much the better team and it didn't take long for them to regain the lead. Quick midfield pressure from the main man Ceballos meant the ball bounced forward back towards Burnely's goal. Aubameyang latched onto the lose ball and drove forward with pace and power before slotting one into the near post to give his side a well deserved lead. With half the half still left, it was all about management from here on in.
Having seen Pepe come on at half time to inject some more life into attacks, we saw Emery make his final two subs later on in a bid to control the game and claim the win. Kolasinac and Torreira came on to solidify the midfield and stifle Burnely further and both proved to be good moves from the man in charge. Eventually we heard the final whistle and saw the red and white of Arsenal sat at the top of the Premier League, albeit only for a few hours.
Ratings
Unai Emery: 8
Having started a strong back four and both his star strikers, the only real questions were over his midfield selection. With Xhaka unavailable, Emery had a real decision to make and he got it pretty spot on, in fairness. He again made a sub early to get things going and although it would have been great to see Pepe from the off, Nelson did nothing wrong last week to warrant being dropped either. But the early decision from the Head Coach to make a change at half time was a good one once again. Giving youth a chance again was also good to see.
Bernd Leno: 6
Ainsley Maitland-Niles: 6
Sokratis: 6
David Luiz: 6
Nacho Monreal: 7
Matteo Guendouzi: 6.5
Joe Willock: 6
Dani Ceballos: 9
Reiss Nelson: 6
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: 7.5
Alex Lacazette: 7.5
Subs
Nicolas Pepe: 6
Sead Kolasinac: 5
Lucas Torreira: 5
@craigbennett10
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