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: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor on September 18, 2021 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images) /

3. Worrying signs for Bukayo Saka?

I say this with hesitancy but Saka looked out of sorts, and in the five Premier League games this year, it has become something of a theme with our star boy.

It might be down to playing in the Euros over summer and not having a long enough break but against Burnley, his touch was missing and physically he just did not look right. He is still only 19 years old and he is going to have dips in form, but this has been a slight trend.

Perhaps he just needs a rest.

However, given their current predicament, Arteta cannot afford to give him a break. For whatever reason, Saka just has not been at the races this season and while it is cause for some concern, there is belief that he will snap out of it sooner rather than later.

Several times on Saturday his touch was wayward, he was not making the runs we are used to, losing balls that normally he would win and win easily. It is something to ponder for our young superstar.

But, to his credit, he battled hard and it was his turn and run after picking the ball up in between the lines that won the all-important free-kick in the first half.

Continued…

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