Burnley 0-2 Arsenal: Player ratings as Gunners secure another huge win in league

Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) - 5/10 – Five seems harsh, perhaps, but it was just not Saka’s day today. He never had much a look in bar a fantastic chance midway through the first half, one which he squandered badly via his poor shot. The Clarets had him tightly marked and, thus, Saka could not get into proceedings – he was due an off day anyway.

Viktor Gyokeres (ST) - 8/10 – This is the real Viktor Gyokeres! The Swede produced in his strongest shift in Arsenal colours here; not only by scoring his first league goal since September, but also because of all the work he did to hold the ball up, link play and to lead the press. His half-time substitution will be a worry but hopefully it is nothing serious.

Leandro Trossard (LW) - 7/10 – It seems Trossard is growing into this first-team role. In the past, he would impress more off the bench but he looked bright at Turf Moor and always sought the pass that might split the Burnley defence. Capped a fine display with the assist for Rice’s goal, even if that only shows some of his multi-faceted brilliance.

Substitutes

• Mikel Merino (on 45’ for Gyokeres) – 5/10
• Ethan Nwaneri (on 72' for Eze) - 6/10
• Piero Hincapié (on 72' for Calafiori) - 5/10
• Christian Norgaard (on 77' for Zubimendi) - N/A
• Myles Lewis-Skelly (on 90' for Trossard) - N/A

Piero Hincapié (on 72’ for Calafiori) – 5/10

Christian Norgaard (on 77’ for Zubimendi) – N/A

Myles Lewis-Skelly (on 90’ for Trossard) – N/A

Player of the match: Declan Rice

Arsenal cruised to yet another Premier League win on Saturday as they saw off Burnley 2-0 at Turf Moor.

Game patterns were set here from an early stage: the hosts plumped for a tight-knit, organised low-block to try keep their opponents out; the Gunners looked to assert dominance and took the chance to bolster their possession stats.

It helped the visitors to settle quick and, on 14 minutes, that pressure would yield an important goal. Of course, the strike came via a set-piece when Declan Rice launched a top-class ball into the penalty area, his delivery met by Gabriel who knocked it down for the much-maligned Viktor Gyokeres to nod in from close range.

That first goal only rallied the Gunners further and they really should have gone two up soon after as Bukayo Saka went through one-on-one with Martin Dubravka. Fans would bet their house on him to find the net but, alas, his effort proved to be extremely tame and it was easily parried away by the goalkeeper.   

But the second did come! A frightening counter-attack was led by Gyokeres who expertly released Leandro Trossard down the left flank. From there, the Belgian picked out Rice with a brilliant cross and a bullet header gave Dubravka no chance.

2-0 at the break. Job done.

There was very little to report from the second half, only that Arsenal shut up shop and the onus fell on Burnley to try force themselves back into the contest. It resulted in a drab 45 minutes where the Gunners did not really create anything of note and the home side could not find a way through the away defence, leaving the visitors free to claim all three points.

Here are the player ratings from a successful Lancashire trip.

Burnley 0-2 Arsenal player ratings

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) - 6/10 – How do you rate David Raya? He was alert when called upon to claim a high ball or fire it up field but, beyond that, the afternoon could hardly have been any easier for him (a good complaint!).

Jurrien Timber (RB) - 7/10 - Timber did well to escape some Burnley pressure in the tenth minute and he paired it with his usual, composed defensive work. Comfortably stood firm as the hosts enjoyed a bit more possession after the break.

William Saliba (CB) - 7/10 - Everything said about Timber X2. The Frenchman carried out his work with great aplomb, doing particularly well to snuff out a Burnley half chance on 68 minutes. His solid display is, in itself, very encouraging after injury forced him out of contention for the Carabao Cup match versus Brighton in midweek.

Gabriel (CB) - 7/10 – Big Gabi can do everything and, again, he made his biggest impact up front. It was his knockdown which set up Gyokeres for the opener – his third PL goal contribution of the season – and it proved to be a nice appetiser for his fine, overall performance. The Brazilian can simply do no wrong right now.

Riccardo Calafiori (LB) - 7/10 – Teams have still not figured out how to contain him! Calafiori popped up in all sorts of random positions and, thus, played a huge role in unpicking a mass Burnley defence – the type of set-up against which the Gunners often struggle. Now that he can keep fit, his impact is clear for all to see.

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