Amidst their ongoing fight for safety, Vincent Kompany’s Burnley welcomed Arsenal to Turf Moor. It is a fixture in which the Clarets have struggled, having recorded just one win from 17 Premier League meetings against the Gunners. Mikel Arteta’s visitors traveled to Lancashire in tremendous form, with 16 goals scored and only two conceded in 2024 so far.
BUR: Trafford; Assignon, O’Shea, Estève, Delcroix; Ramsey, Berge, Brownhill, Odobert; Fofana, Amdouni
ARS: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Rice, Ødegaard, Havertz; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
Both teams were looking to put the pressure on one another early on, but it was a simple counter-attack that gave the visitors the lead they desired inside the first five minutes.
Gabriel Martinelli found an unmarked Martin Ødegaard on the edge of Burnley’s box, and the Gunners skipper made no mistake, firing Arsenal into a quick lead.
Embed from Getty ImagesBurnley struggled to find their footing in the match in reaction to the opener, with the visitors’ astute defending ensuring they entered a period of possessional dominance in search of a second.
A great opportunity came for Arsenal to double their advantage in the 35th minute when a cross from Bukayo Saka found the feet of Leandro Trossard, but a swing and a miss from the Belgian ended the move in its tracks.
With half-time approaching, life for Kompany’s men went from bad to worse as Assignon brought down Trossard inside the penalty area, gifting Arsenal a spot-kick.
Bukayo Saka made no mistake, ensuring Arteta’s side entered the break with the lead they deserved after a dominant opening 45 minutes.
A late booking for the goalscorer Saka was the only real detriment to an otherwise perfect Gunners start at Turf Moor.
Somehow, the goals began even sooner in the second half than the first, as the two opening Arsenal goalscorers combined to put the game out of reach for Burnley.
Embed from Getty ImagesIt was a fine finish from Saka to bag his second of the match, rifling the ball into the roof of the net at Trafford’s near-post for his 12th goal of the Premier League campaign.
Aaron Ramsey’s afternoon came to an end as a nasty-looking following a challenge from Ødegaard saw the midfielder receive oxygen as he was stretchered off the pitch.
The goals kept coming for Arteta’s side, with a curling shot from Trossard finding the bottom corner, adding a fourth and further misery for the Clarets.
Kai Havertz added his name to another long scoresheet for Arsenal, latching onto a long throw from Jakub Kiwior to score his fifth of the league season.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe resounding loss leaves Kompany’s men 7 points behind 17th-place Luton Town, with the Hatters having played two games fewer than Burnley. The Lancashire side have now failed to register a win in their last eight matches in all competitions.
For Arsenal, another three points by a big margin is good news for their goal difference, which is now greater than that of both Liverpool and Manchester City. Arteta’s Gunners find themselves two points off the top spot thanks to as resounding a victory as you will find.
