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: Dani Ceballos of Arsenal is closed down 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 Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 17: Dani Ceballos of Arsenal is closed down 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 Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

2. Dani Ceballos is a baller

Dani Ceballos made his full Arsenal debut on Saturday. He played just short of half-an-hour last weekend but was deemed ready to start from the off with Granit Xhaka out injured this time around. And in his first start for the club, the Spaniard showed what he is truly capable of.

In the first half, Ceballos completed 100% of his take-ons, had the most completed passes, the most ball recoveries, the most chances created, the most fouls won, and assisted the Alexandre Lacazette’s opener. He was everywhere, and was extremely positive in almost all that he did. And the best part of his play: pressing the ball, which is precisely what he did to set up Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the second half.

It is easy to make comparisons to Santi Cazorla. His dribbling qualities, his balance and agility, his range of passing, the desire to conduct play by getting on the ball as frequently as possible. Ceballos is a true modern, mobile, creative and controlling midfielder. He is precisely what Arsenal needed.