Arsenal: Konstantinos Mavropanos out-Burnley’d Burnley

Arsenal did the right thing and sent Konstantinos Mavropanos out there for this second start and the result was everything that dreams are made of.

Arsenal’s home farewell for Arsene Wenger couldn’t have gone much better, given the circumstances. And the best part was that, on a day that could secure them a deceptively important sixth place, Wenger still opted to give youth a chance.

Konstantinos Mavropanos and Calum Chambers were given the nod in the center of defense, where they were responsible for keeping out a notoriously gritty and physical Burnley attack. Even in the safety of the Emirates, Burnley was going to be a tough cookie.

Only they weren’t. This defense was an absolute brick wall for the usually pesky visitors, as they managed just a spattering of chances, mostly from long, lofted crosses into the box that bounced around.

Related Story: Arsenal vs Burnley Highlights, Recap and Analysis

Right in the heart of this demonstrative success was the young Greek defender, Mavropanos. He set the bar pretty high with his performance at Old Trafford, and he followed that performance up by one-upping himself.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park

Right from the off, his prerogative was clear – invoke fear in the hearts of fearless Burnley. He did this through (often unnecessary) physicality and tackles that were fierce and firm, leaving a usually solid Burnley grasping at straws, they just couldn’t get through or around this young man because he was so willing to lay the hurt down on them.

Whether it was Sam Vokes, Ashley Barnes or whoever else found themselves in the near vicinity of the Greek, it didn’t matter. They were often leveled.

And the fans noticed, cheering seemingly everything that he did. Because what he did was assume the usual mantra of Burnley – hard, physical, gritty, make the opponent uncomfortable – and applied it to his own individual performance on the day – to tremendous effect.

We saw that same physicality against Manchester United and Romelu Lukaku, who couldn’t push his way through the sturdy young defender.

So while these games may be seen as nothing more than a quick test of Mavropanos’ readiness, I’d say his is passing with flying colors, as he has stuck it to United – in particularly Lukaku – as well as Burnley, whose physicality has often been a dream for Arsenal fans distraught at the weaknesses of their own team.

Next: Arsenal vs Burnley Player Ratings

Mavropanos clearly knows the way into the hearts of the fans and is acting on it, or, more likely, this is just who he is. In which case we have a fantastic young defender on our hands.