Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Burnley: 5 things we learned – The modern midfield

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 17: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with Ainsley Maitland-Niles during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Burnley FC at Emirates Stadium on August 17, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 17: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with Ainsley Maitland-Niles during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Burnley FC at Emirates Stadium on August 17, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 17: Matteo Guendouzi of Arsenal is tackled by Ashley Westwood of Burnley during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Burnley FC at Emirates Stadium on August 17, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 17: Matteo Guendouzi of Arsenal is tackled by Ashley Westwood of Burnley during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Burnley FC at Emirates Stadium on August 17, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

3. The exciting youth

As soon as the line-ups were announced an hour before kick-off, there was a sense of excitement reverberating throughout the Emirates. This was a young, vibrant, modern team, one that looks starkly different to that of last season.

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The midfield three consisted of a 20-year-old, 19-year-old and 23-year-old. The front three was the two brilliant strikers and a 19-year-old sensation, with a club-record signing introduced at half-time. 21-year-old Ainsley Maitland-Niles started at right-back once more. Moreover, three academy graduates started for the second game in succession.

Reiss Nelson might not have had the best 45 minutes, but the talent is undeniable; Dani Ceballos is only in north London on a temporary basis, but he will be the beating heart of the midfield this year; Joe Willock and Matteo Guendouzi were excellent and will be joined by a 23-year-old Lucas Torreira.

This team is obviously not a complete one, and there are serious questions to be asked of the defence in particular. But it is an extremely exciting one. There is much to be positive about at present, even if Arsenal proceed to lose against both Liverpool and Spurs in the coming weeks.