Arsenal secured their eighth successive Premier League victory after battling to a 1-0 win over a well-organised Burnley side, to keep their very slender title hopes alive. More importantly, the Gunners lead Manchester United and Manchester City by four and five points respectively, with the two sides meeting in a crunch clash at Old Trafford tomorrow. It was far from a vintage performance from Arsene Wenger’s men, but they showed their fighting qualities to claim all three points. Here’s how the Gunners rated.
David Ospina - 7
The Colombian 'keeper was rarely troubled at Turf Moor, as Burnley attacked industriously, but with very little end product. He reacted quickly to thwart Ashley Barnes in the opening minutes, while producing a sharp reaction save from Kieran Trippier’s powerful free-kick. Ospina commanded his area well when the hosts opted for a more aerial attack.
Hector Bellerin - 7
Arsenal were defensively organised at Turf Moor and gave the relegation strugglers few clear-cut chances. However, the young Spaniard was caught out on occasion when committing himself too early in challenges. He allowed Ben Mee to beat him with a nutmeg, but fortunately for the Gunners, George Boyd was unable to make clean contact with the cross. Arsène Wenger’s side didn’t have their usual attacking fluency, but Bellerin remained one of the most promising attacking outlets. He was neat in possession and dealt impressively with the robust nature of the contest.
Per Mertesacker - 8
Mertesacker produced a very solid performance at the heart of Arsenal’s defence. He was exposed in the opening minutes, as Ashley Barnes outpaced him on the right flank, but that moment aside, he was extremely assured. Burnley opted for a more direct style of attack, which suited the German perfectly and he dealt very comfortably with the threat posed. He was efficient in possession and was a vital presence. With Gabriel out through illness, it was important for Arsenal’s vice-captain to perform strongly, which he did.
Laurent Koscielny - 7
Koscielny shook off hip and thigh problems to start, which was vital considering Gabriel's absence. Alongside Mertesacker, the Frenchman dealt well with Danny Ings and Sam Vokes. Manchester City were run ragged by the dynamic duo around three weeks ago, so the Arsenal pairing deserve credit for their professional display. The only criticism of Koscielny’s performance was his distribution; technically he is one of the best defenders in the league, but his passing was uncharacteristically erratic today. Nevertheless, the Gunners look far more assured with Koscielny in the side.
Nacho Monreal - 7
Not many people would have foreseen Monreal usurping Kieran Gibbs at the start of the season, but Monreal continues to deliver impressive performances. He may not have the pace that Gibbs possesses, but he understands and reads the game extremely well. George Boyd, who starred in Burnley’s win over City, had very little joy against the Spaniard. Monreal’s stint at centre-back earlier in the season has certainly added versatility and a more robust edge to his game, which has been invaluable to Wenger’s side.
Francis Coquelin - 9
Coquelin was superb at the heart of Arsenal’s midfield. He has been a revelation since returning from his loan spell at Charlton. Thierry Henry described Coquelin as a 'police officer' prior to kick-off and he certainly performed his duty with aplomb. Coquelin reads the game so incredibly well and his maturity and discipline have vastly improved. He doesn’t dive into challenges unless necessary and is very combative in the challenge. He provided a very resilient shield to Arsenal’s defence and was an integral factor in nullifying Burnley’s threat.
Aaron Ramsey - 7
It was a mixed evening performance wise for the Welshman, but he scored the winner and continued his good goalscoring record since returning from injury. It was an excellent instinctive finish rifled into the top corner, considering the pressure he was under from the Burnley defenders. Wenger opted for the same starting XI that beat Liverpool so comprehensively last week, therefore Ramsey was again deployed on the right-hand side. When interviewed by Sky Sports after the victory, he admitted that he would prefer to play in his central role, but realised he had to perform his role for the team. Ramsey worked extremely hard and was central to Arsenal’s most dangerous attacks. He was slightly casual in possession in the closing stages, but the sharpness in his game has returned, which will be very pleasing for Wenger.
Santi Cazorla - 6
Arsenal’s diminutive Spaniard had a subdued afternoon. He has done a fantastic job in a deeper-midfield role alongside Coquelin and has thrived with more defensive responsibility, whilst also being able to dictate the tempo of the game. Burnley worked extremely hard to stifle Arsenal’s possession and as a consequence Cazorla’s effect on the game was minimal; with the wide players having greatest effect. He was neat and controlled in possession and was unfortunate with some well-struck efforts that went just over the bar.
Mesut Ozil- 8
This was certainly not one of Arsenal’s most vintage attacking displays, but Ozil was at the centre of their most promising passages of play. His vision and awareness is sublime and his link-up play with Giroud and Sanchez in the early stages of the contest was delightful to watch. His shot, that was well saved, led to Ramsey’s goal; whilst he delivered an inch-perfect lob into the Welshman, who on this occasion was unable to finish. Since his return in early February, the German’s work-rate has significantly improved and he coped well with the combative nature of today’s opponents.
Alexis Sanchez - 7
Alexis Sanchez couldn’t quite produce the same heroics from the corresponding fixture in November, but he worked extremely hard and was one of Arsenal’s best players in the second half. His directness and willingness to take players on gives the North Londoners a completely different attacking dimension. He played an integral role in the opener, by playing in Mesut Ozil. Arsenal’s patient possession style was rather ineffective in creating clear opportunities and Alexis provided the most consistent threat throughout the clash. The goals have dried up for the Chilean in recent months, having scored two goals in his last fourteen appearances, but his application is top-class and he still poses problems for opposition defences.
Olivier Giroud - 6
This was probably Giroud’s most ineffective performance since he returned to the fold in November. He has been in sensational form, scoring 14 goals in 20 games and he had found the net in six successive Premier League appearances. However, Burnley’s defence deserve great credit for keeping the Frenchman quiet. They played a rather high-line, therefore Giroud had to retreat to his own half to gain possession. The former Montpellier man plays a fundamental role in Arsenal’s link-up play, but his role at Turf Moor was minimal. This was illustrated when he was replaced by Danny Welbeck with 20 minutes remaining. Nevertheless, Giroud held the ball up well at periods in the second half and remains a valuable asset when defending set-pieces.
Substitutes:
Danny Welbeck- 7
Welbeck replaced Giroud in the closing stages and offered a fresh outlet. Burnley were deploying a high-line to negate the Frenchman’s best attributes, but Welbeck’s pace worked effectively as the hosts struggled to sustain their high-intensity pressing game. Welbeck made an intelligent run into the box late on, but Ozil’s through ball was marginally under hit, allowing Mee to recover his position, and the Englishman’s shot was dragged narrowly wide. The Gunners stretched the Burnley defence late on and Welbeck was an instrumental factor in this.