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.

Midfielders

Thomas Partey (CM) – 7.5/10 – The one-man midfield. Whenever Partey did get on the ball his progression through the lines and choice of pass was superb, however the way Arsenal and Burnley set up meant that passing lanes to him were easily cut off.

Still, his influence on the ball is unquestionable. As the hosts’ pressure mounted he found himself almost playing as a third centre-back.

Emile Smith Rowe (AM) – 5/10 – It’s going to take time for Smith Rowe to learn this system. There were occasions where he looked somewhat lost positionally.

It was a tough afternoon for the No. 10. In terms of meaningful possession he was heavily limited and that was demonstrated as his off the ball work was better than his work on it.

Martin Odegaard (AM) – 7/10 – Brought the silk to the soil. A fine outing for Odegaard as his vision and first time touch quality shone in a performance needing some spark to lighten it up.

He sees the pass before it even looks on and his free-kick was right out of the top drawer. He kept those traits going after the break but he wasn’t as influential int he second half.

Forwards

Nicolas Pepe (RW) – 4/10 – Couldn’t get into the game enough as the two banks of four from Burnley nullified his zones, forcing him to pick up possession between the full-back and left midfielder where his threat was minimal.

Passing wasn’t crisp enough – most clearly evidenced in that woeful pass to Aubameyang on the break around the hour mark.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ST) – 5/10 – Barely noticeable. It wasn’t a fault of his own especially, but with Arsenal struggling to move the ball through the thirds with any tempo.

Found more joy when the game opened up but the killer first touch was missing. Couldn’t get found all game.

Bukayo Saka (LW) – 4/10 – Tried to pick up pockets of space in between the lines and found some joy in those areas on the half-turn but struggled to get into the game much with the Clarets’ tight spacing.

It was not a happy outing for Saka. Nothing came off for him, be it his touch or his passing.

Substitutes

Albert Sambi Lokonga – 6/10 – Wasn’t a game he would have enjoyed as it was backs-against-the-walls stuff but added some much-needed numbers in the centre of the park.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 8/10 – Came on and looked composed in midfield at a time where Arsenal were in need of assurance. Superb introduction off the bench. He was excellent coming into a match and game state that is never easy to adjust to that soon.

Gets an 8 for his contribution since coming on.

Nuno Tavares – N/A – Came on for an injured Tierney (shock) and was forced into a more defenisve display than he’d normally like, but not on long enough for a rating.