Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points after a comfortable 2-0 win over Burnley at Turf Moor.
Viktor Gyökeres and Declan Rice both struck in the first half as Mikel Arteta’s side made it nine wins in a row in all competitions.
As it happened
After a cagey opening, it was Arsenal’s set-piece threat that once again made the difference. Rice swung in a teasing ball to the back post, where Gabriel Magalhães knocked it back across goal for Gyökeres to head home into an empty net.
The goal settled Arsenal down, and they soon began to dominate and create chances. Gyökeres held the ball up brilliantly before slipping Bukayo Saka through on goal, but the winger’s weak strike was saved by Martin Dúbravka. Moments later, Saka was denied once more after a slick Arsenal move saw Dúbravka save again from Saka before Leandro Trossard’s curling effort was cleared off the line.
The Gunners eventually doubled their advantage before the break with a lightning quick counterattack. The ball broke for Gyökeres, who switched the play to Trossard before he clipped a perfect cross into the box for Rice to head past Dúbravka and make it 2-0.
Burnley improved after the break and nearly pulled one back when Florentino Luís headed over from close range following a set piece. Marcus Edwards struck the post with a free kick in stoppage time, but Arsenal held firm to record yet another clean sheet and victory.
A strong first-half display from the Gunners was enough for three points today, with their defensive solidity shining through to help record a seventh clean sheet in a row in all competitions. Arteta’s men now turn their attention to Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Slavia Praha before travelling to Sunderland next weekend.
For Burnley, a spirited second-half display wasn’t enough to breach Arsenal’s seemingly unbreakable backline. They remain just outside the relegation zone ahead of a huge trip to West Ham next weekend.
The line-ups
BUR: Dúbravka; Walker, Laurent, Tuanzebe, Estève, Hartman; Cullen, Luís, Ugochukwu; Anthony, Flemming
ARS: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Eze; Saka, Trossard, Gyökeres