Arsenal player ratings vs Burnley: Odegaard stunner seals 1-0 win

Arsenal secured a hard fought 1-0 win over Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday as a superb first half free-kick from Martin Odegaard was all that separated the sides on a tough afternoon for Mikel Arteta’s men.

Mikel Arteta opted to make two changes from the side that beat Norwich 1-0 in the Premier League last time out as Emile Smith Rowe took a spot in midfield in what appeared to be a 4-3-3 shape, with Nicolas Pepe keeping his place on the wing.

There was also the welcome return of Thomas Partey to the lineup for his first start of the season, handing the manager near enough his first choice players in each position.

That, of course, including Aaron Ramsdale, who kept his place in goal after making his debut against the Canaries.

Arsenal player ratings vs Burnley as stunning Martin Odegaard free-kick secures Arteta’s side a battling 1-0 Premier League win at Turf Moor

A tentative opening from Arsenal felt very static, with the one sitting midfielder in Partey being easily blocked off as an option playing out from the back, forcing Arsenal to go long.

Needing a breakthrough, it came via the left boot of Martin Odegaard as the Norwegian bent a sumptuous free-kick beyond Nick Pope after half an hour.

The second half didn’t carry on the way as the end of the second had, with Burnley forcing the issue and banging on the Arsenal door relentlessly. That presented a fine opportunity on the break for Arsenal to kill the game, one that was wasted with Pepe’s sloppy pass to Aubameyang.

Hearts were in mouths when Anthony Taylor awarded a penalty for a foul by Ramsdale, but after realising he was wrong, everyone could breathe.

Arsenal Goalkeeper & Defenders Ratings

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – 7.5/10 – The standout element of Ramsdale’s performance at Turf Moor was that he looked like he was enjoying himself. He relished the physical side of the game and had real pleasure in coming off his line to demand the ball.

Showed some very neat distribution too. This shirt is now his. No doubt.

Very solid, was never a penalty and White can thank him in the dressing room.

Takehiro Tomiyasu (RB) – 7.5/10 – Very solid. Dealt with any threat down Burnley’s left comfortably and pulled off a few neat switch balls into Kieran Tierney to open up the play.

He’s a very good defender. Does all the basics well, although Cornet gave him a few problems after the break.

Ben White (CB) – 5/10 – All the talk pre-match was whether White could handle the aerial battle. In truth, to struggled to handle most battles in general. There were long balls he dealt with poorly and some poor distribution out from the back, nothing like the composed player he normally is.

All of that improved after shaky opening and he grew into the game once Burnley fell behind, but there were still so many awfully sloppy moments. Uninspiring, is the word. He’ll have better days.

Gabriel (CB) – 8/10 – Some crucial blocks and challenges throughout, any concerns that Gabriel may need time to recover from his knee injury can be put to bed. Fit, sharp, hungry and passionate, the Brazilian had a very decent afternoon’s work in the heart of defence.

Big performance. Monsterclass.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – 6/10 – Was getting clattered left, right and centre. Some smart work from Tierney who slowed the game down in the right moments and did the dirty work for his side well.

Didn’t get much joy in behind the Burnley right-back but battled well and won crucial fouls.