Arsenal player ratings vs Burnley: Key points dropped in 0-0 draw
Arsenal were held to a draw against Burnley on Sunday as frustrating afternoon at the Emirates Stadium finished 0-0 in the Premier League.
Mikel Arteta’s side fell to a disappointing defeat to Liverpool last time out as they were eliminated from the Carabao Cup at the semi-final stage, with the manager’s thin squad laid bare.
Having not had a single training session ahead of that game, Takehiro Tomiyasu struggled and that has carried over into Sunday where he was left out of the squad entirely.
Rob Holding came into central defence with Benjamin White moving to right-back, meaning there was the same midfield trio of Sambi Lokonga, Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe.
Arsenal player ratings vs Burnley as Mikel Arteta’s side drop crucial Premier League points in top four race with 0-0 draw
The game played out exactly as predicted. Burnley’s two banks of four kept spaces to a premium and prevented Arsenal from creating centrally, while they were physical in the tackle and tried to make the most of set pieces.
Martin Odegaard came closest for Arsenal when Nick Pope saved his low drive, while Ashley Westwood somehow escaped a second yellow card for a clear obstruction on Gabriel.
Service resumed after the break with the Clarets frustrating their hosts, who lacked any imagination or pace to their play. It was all too pedestrian.
Try as they might, the goal never came. With the fixtures elsewhere, it’s a gigantic opportunity missed for Arsenal. Massive.
Goalkeeper & Defenders
Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – 6/10 – Some nervy moments for Ramsdale, including a fumbled punch in the first half, in what is the first sticky patch of form he’s shown since joining the club. A touch too erratic on occasion, lacking composure and crispness of delivery.
Benjamin White (RB) – 7/10 – Hit some superb diagonals filling in at right-back, and his distribution out from the back was the best of the Arsenal defenders.
Rob Holding (CB) – 6/10 – On the ball he wasn’t especially dangerous, with his passing not on the level of his fellow defenders, but he did deal with balls in the air well and stood strong physically.
Gabriel (CB) – 6/10 – Dealt with what he had thrown at him well, but needed to be quicker with the ball at feet. Too pedestrian.
Kieran Tierney (LB) – 6/10 – Some poor decision making in attacking areas was one of the key issues for Arsenal, with Tierney often opting for the wrong type of delivery when found in space down the left side.
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