Arsenal: 5 talking points from narrow 1-0 Burnley win

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts on the final whistle in the English Premier League football match between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor in Burnley, north west England on September 18, 2021. - Arsenal won the game 1-0. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Lindsey Parnaby / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP via Getty Images) /

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BURNLEY, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Arsenal player Takehiro Tomiyasu heads clear during the Premier League match between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor on September 18, 2021 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /

2. Arsenal’s defense was superb

An away game like this in years gone by would have seen the Gunners wilt under the constant pressure being applied from the home side. A barrage of long balls into the box would have yielded an equalizer normally, however, on Saturday the Arsenal backline was phenomenal.

Gabriel was a brick wall in defense as he matched the physicality brought by Burnley’s frontmen in Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood in a way rarely seen from an Arsenal defender. White was also solid in aerial duels and won his fair share as he put forth a decent showing, which was in contrast to his afternoon with the ball on the ground.

Japanese international Takehiro Tomiyasu was again superb both on the ground and in the air as he won all four aerial duels and his one ground duel in an incredible shift. He is proving to be an astute signing from Arteta and has shored up the right-hand side with aplomb.

How Arsenal defended the long balls into the box, constantly getting it out of the danger area even after Burnley had won the second ball only to put it straight back into the mixer showed excellent resilience.

In years gone by, Arsenal would have conceded from one of Burnley’s forays into the box yet on Saturday, there was a feeling that despite the home side pressing, it never felt like a breakthrough was coming as the Gunners backline dealt with everything rather well. A last-ditch tackle from Gabriel and Tomiyasu in the first half to deny Barnes but that was as close as Burnley got to a goal.

Overall, it was a defensive performance that was “un-Arsenal like” and it was a sight for sore eyes. Having Gabriel back in the heart of defense makes the world of difference along with White, Tomiyasu, and Aaron Ramsdale in goal. Arsenal’s worst area on the pitch for the last decade has improved out of sight.

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