Arsenal: 4 negatives of hard fought Burnley win

3. Emile Smith Rowe & Bukayo Saka’s Off Days

Praise them when they’re brilliant and be honest when they’re not. Neither Emile Smith Rowe nor Bukayo Saka had performances they would travel home from and feel especially chuffed over.

For Smith Rowe, the demands of the diamond midfield system appeared too unfamiliar for him. Positionally unaware, there was a lack of conviction in how he asserted himself on the game: passes inaccurate and dribbles lacking the usual drive.

Did the pitch play a part? It will have played some part, sure.

Saka is slightly different as this is another performance without its usual spark, continuing a trend this season. Is there a Euros hangover? There will be something of the sort, undoubtedly.

None of which even comes close to venturing towards resting/dropping territory. These two are both young men in the very early stages of their careers and dips in performance level and form are inevitable. They need the support of those around them.

What is positive is that both of the Hale Ender had off days at the same time, not to the detriment of the result. Arsenal still won and have Saka’s turn and run to thank for winning the free-kick that Odegaard converted.

In less physically demanding outings on more forgiving pitches they’ll be back to their respective bests.

Continued…