Another poor show in front of goal and even worse in the creative midfield department meant Arsenal came away from Turf Moor with a lucky point, leaving them a woeful tenth in the Premier League heading into the Winter break.
It was an unusual tale of good at the back but poor upfront yesterday as Mikel Arteta's men really struggled to hit the target with any real significance. Burnley had their fair share of half decent charges and really should have won it late on when Jay Rodriguez crashed one (from four yards out) onto the bar to then see it bounce on the line - and not over it. That was the game's best chance and really, a good team with a good striker would have won the game. The Gunners definitely got lucky here.
There were a couple of chances to note, Aubameyang spooning one from close range when through on the keeper, and Lacazette with a close header but not a lot else. Bukayo Saka at left back was a constant threat until he was withdrawn at half time due to injury. The arrival of Lucas Torreira as his replacement saw Granit Xhaka move to left back and although the Swiss played well, he isn't built to bomb up and down the touch line. This change really hindered the Gunners going forward and almost thwarted the whole left side.
As well as the Rodriguez chance, James Tarkowski probably should have scored too via a header, whilst Dwight McNeil and Jeff Hendrick snuffed good half chances throughout the game. Bernd Leno was again in inspired form to keep the Clarets out. A deserved clean sheet but worryingly poor in attack.
Ratings
Bernd Leno: 8
Good again from the German. Got a bit of luck from his woodwork late on but deserved the clean sheet.
Hector Bellerin: 6.5
Still building himself up to the levels we're used to seeing but not quite there yet. A few silly decisions and one or two slow movements show he's still got more to do.
Shkodran Mustafi: 8
Surprisingly secure and solid from the German who looked perhaps as good as he ever has in an Arsenal shirt. Determined, dogged and sensible - for once.
David Luiz: 7
Tried to impose himself on Chris Wood, did well but not perfect just yet. Pinged the ball around nicely as we're now used to seeing.
Bukayo Saka: 7.5
Class but sadly cut short. The young Englishman was Arsenal's best attacking outlet and consistently threatened with cross after cross. An unfortunate hip injury cut his game short.
Granit Xhaka: 7
It wasn't a midfield masterclass by any means but it was solid. Consistently solid and sensibly reliable. Covered well at left back (again).
Matteo Guendouzi: 5
Lost like a headless chicken most of the time, and doesn't look sure or look like he knows where to play the ball when he drives forward at times.
Mesut Ozil: 4
Not good enough again from the German playmaker. He is seemingly prepared to put more of a shift in but really his side need him to tick as a number ten.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: 6
Threatened but actually looked rusty. Made the right moves but couldn't find a finish at all.
Alex Lacazette: 4
Much like Ozil, what we're seeing at the moment isn't good enough. He looks to be trying to put it right but its just not happening with or without the ball, at all.
Gabriel Martinelli: 5.5
Quiet from the normally lively Brazilian but his effort never died. He worked back time after time but going forward, he wasn't near the levels we've seen of late.
Lucas Torreira: 5
Got stuck in well and broke up Burnley's play but didn't get much going going forward - although not his primary job. Earned himself a needless booking as well.
Joe Willock: 5
Half an hour of industry and effort from the young Englishman but much like his fellow attacking colleagues, he couldn't find the right gear on the day.
Eddie Nketiah: N/A
@craigbennett10
It was an unusual tale of good at the back but poor upfront yesterday as Mikel Arteta's men really struggled to hit the target with any real significance. Burnley had their fair share of half decent charges and really should have won it late on when Jay Rodriguez crashed one (from four yards out) onto the bar to then see it bounce on the line - and not over it. That was the game's best chance and really, a good team with a good striker would have won the game. The Gunners definitely got lucky here.
There were a couple of chances to note, Aubameyang spooning one from close range when through on the keeper, and Lacazette with a close header but not a lot else. Bukayo Saka at left back was a constant threat until he was withdrawn at half time due to injury. The arrival of Lucas Torreira as his replacement saw Granit Xhaka move to left back and although the Swiss played well, he isn't built to bomb up and down the touch line. This change really hindered the Gunners going forward and almost thwarted the whole left side.
As well as the Rodriguez chance, James Tarkowski probably should have scored too via a header, whilst Dwight McNeil and Jeff Hendrick snuffed good half chances throughout the game. Bernd Leno was again in inspired form to keep the Clarets out. A deserved clean sheet but worryingly poor in attack.
Ratings
Bernd Leno: 8
Good again from the German. Got a bit of luck from his woodwork late on but deserved the clean sheet.
Hector Bellerin: 6.5
Still building himself up to the levels we're used to seeing but not quite there yet. A few silly decisions and one or two slow movements show he's still got more to do.
Shkodran Mustafi: 8
Surprisingly secure and solid from the German who looked perhaps as good as he ever has in an Arsenal shirt. Determined, dogged and sensible - for once.
David Luiz: 7
Tried to impose himself on Chris Wood, did well but not perfect just yet. Pinged the ball around nicely as we're now used to seeing.
Bukayo Saka: 7.5
Class but sadly cut short. The young Englishman was Arsenal's best attacking outlet and consistently threatened with cross after cross. An unfortunate hip injury cut his game short.
Granit Xhaka: 7
It wasn't a midfield masterclass by any means but it was solid. Consistently solid and sensibly reliable. Covered well at left back (again).
Matteo Guendouzi: 5
Lost like a headless chicken most of the time, and doesn't look sure or look like he knows where to play the ball when he drives forward at times.
Mesut Ozil: 4
Not good enough again from the German playmaker. He is seemingly prepared to put more of a shift in but really his side need him to tick as a number ten.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: 6
Threatened but actually looked rusty. Made the right moves but couldn't find a finish at all.
Alex Lacazette: 4
Much like Ozil, what we're seeing at the moment isn't good enough. He looks to be trying to put it right but its just not happening with or without the ball, at all.
Gabriel Martinelli: 5.5
Quiet from the normally lively Brazilian but his effort never died. He worked back time after time but going forward, he wasn't near the levels we've seen of late.
Lucas Torreira: 5
Got stuck in well and broke up Burnley's play but didn't get much going going forward - although not his primary job. Earned himself a needless booking as well.
Joe Willock: 5
Half an hour of industry and effort from the young Englishman but much like his fellow attacking colleagues, he couldn't find the right gear on the day.
Eddie Nketiah: N/A
@craigbennett10
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