Arsenal came into this game with 15 wins in 17. This was never going to be an easy game but, Burnley are the only league team to have done the double over City, they have drawn against Tottenham, United and Chelsea.
Also they have never lost by a margin of more than 2 goals. So this was never going to be an easy game like most expected.David Ospina started in goal. Bellerin and Monreal continued their place in the XI following some excellent recent form. Koscielny was fit enough to start after shaking off a reported thigh problem that forced him off last weekend. Mertesacker partnered him. Gabriel was ruled out through illness.
In the centre of midfield, Coquelin and Santi started in deeper roles, with Ozil in a more advanced role. Sanchez and Ramsey continued in the flanks. Giroud, yet again was the lone frontman.
FIRST HALF
The first chance fell to Sanchez, who forced a decent save out of Heaton off a free kick. Giroud tried an audacious attempt for long range, which went way over.
Mertesacker's lack of pace was exposed as Sam Vokes just sprinted past him, and forced a good save of Ospina.
Arsenal took the lead in the 11th minute. Coquelin intercepted the ball before feeding Sanchez. Sanchez passed to Ozil, whose shot was well saved. The rebound was scrambled home by Ramsey after continuous persistence by the visitors.
Another set piece for Arsenal and another scare for Burnely. This time Cazorla with an attempt that just missed the top corner.
Trippier then forced a good save from a freekick from 25 yards towards the end of the half. Arsenal ended the half with a slender advantage.
SECOND HALF
Burnley started the second half with some intense pressing. Ospina then had to make a save early on.
Alexis tested Heaton with a low attempt that was well saved. But we were hardly the team that was controlling the game. Their pressing was forcing us sidewards or backwards. But with the pace of Alexis we seemed a threat on the counter.
A pass from Ozil found Coquelin who passed to Santi, who then attempted a left footed shot that went over.
An important interception from Monreal denied Vokes a clear goal scoring opportunity. Ben Mee nutmegged Bellerin before putting in a peach of a cross, that Boyd managed to miss.
Burnley's key player Ings who had not scored for the last 6 games, attempted an overhead kick that was straight at Ospina.
Welbeck on as a substitute then had an effort that went wide from a counter attack. The match ended with a victory for us. A not so convincing performance, but more importantly, 3 points for the 8th consecutive match.
PLAYER RATINGS
13: David Ospina (7.5): Made 2 good saves and was quick to deal with anything thrown at him.
39: Hector Bellerin (6.5): Not so convincing like his usual self, seemed defensively suspect.
6: Laurent Koscielny (7): Made a lot of misplaced passes, but was good in dealing with other things.
4: Per Mertesacker (8): Had a great game. Was exposed early on, but soon after dominated defensively.
18: Nacho Monreal (8): Great again by Nacho. Very consistent yet again.
34: Francis Coquelin (9.5): 11 interceptions. More than what Matic has managed in his last 7 games.
19: Santi Cazorla (7.5): Had a number of long shots and almost played like a 2nd defensive midfielder in the absence of possession.
16: Aaron Ramsey (7.5): Scored today after 2 assists last time around. Yet again an industrious performance.
17: Alexis Sanchez (7.5): Scared the Burnley defenders. Had 2 decent attempts, although he should have scored when the ball fell kindly to him early on.
11: Mesut Ozil (7.5): Controlled the game from the first minute. Looked good yet again.
12: Olivier Giroud (6.5): It had to stop isn't it? Burnley crowded him out everytime, showing how teams fear him off late.
SUBSTITUTES:
21: Calum Chambers (N/A): Hardly was on the pitch for a few seconds.
23: Danny Welbeck (N/A): Had an attempt that went wide.
HIGHLIGHTS
Also they have never lost by a margin of more than 2 goals. So this was never going to be an easy game like most expected.David Ospina started in goal. Bellerin and Monreal continued their place in the XI following some excellent recent form. Koscielny was fit enough to start after shaking off a reported thigh problem that forced him off last weekend. Mertesacker partnered him. Gabriel was ruled out through illness.
In the centre of midfield, Coquelin and Santi started in deeper roles, with Ozil in a more advanced role. Sanchez and Ramsey continued in the flanks. Giroud, yet again was the lone frontman.
FIRST HALF
The first chance fell to Sanchez, who forced a decent save out of Heaton off a free kick. Giroud tried an audacious attempt for long range, which went way over.
Mertesacker's lack of pace was exposed as Sam Vokes just sprinted past him, and forced a good save of Ospina.
Arsenal took the lead in the 11th minute. Coquelin intercepted the ball before feeding Sanchez. Sanchez passed to Ozil, whose shot was well saved. The rebound was scrambled home by Ramsey after continuous persistence by the visitors.
Another set piece for Arsenal and another scare for Burnely. This time Cazorla with an attempt that just missed the top corner.
Trippier then forced a good save from a freekick from 25 yards towards the end of the half. Arsenal ended the half with a slender advantage.
SECOND HALF
Burnley started the second half with some intense pressing. Ospina then had to make a save early on.
Alexis tested Heaton with a low attempt that was well saved. But we were hardly the team that was controlling the game. Their pressing was forcing us sidewards or backwards. But with the pace of Alexis we seemed a threat on the counter.
A pass from Ozil found Coquelin who passed to Santi, who then attempted a left footed shot that went over.
An important interception from Monreal denied Vokes a clear goal scoring opportunity. Ben Mee nutmegged Bellerin before putting in a peach of a cross, that Boyd managed to miss.
Burnley's key player Ings who had not scored for the last 6 games, attempted an overhead kick that was straight at Ospina.
Welbeck on as a substitute then had an effort that went wide from a counter attack. The match ended with a victory for us. A not so convincing performance, but more importantly, 3 points for the 8th consecutive match.
PLAYER RATINGS
13: David Ospina (7.5): Made 2 good saves and was quick to deal with anything thrown at him.
39: Hector Bellerin (6.5): Not so convincing like his usual self, seemed defensively suspect.
6: Laurent Koscielny (7): Made a lot of misplaced passes, but was good in dealing with other things.
4: Per Mertesacker (8): Had a great game. Was exposed early on, but soon after dominated defensively.
18: Nacho Monreal (8): Great again by Nacho. Very consistent yet again.
34: Francis Coquelin (9.5): 11 interceptions. More than what Matic has managed in his last 7 games.
19: Santi Cazorla (7.5): Had a number of long shots and almost played like a 2nd defensive midfielder in the absence of possession.
16: Aaron Ramsey (7.5): Scored today after 2 assists last time around. Yet again an industrious performance.
17: Alexis Sanchez (7.5): Scared the Burnley defenders. Had 2 decent attempts, although he should have scored when the ball fell kindly to him early on.
11: Mesut Ozil (7.5): Controlled the game from the first minute. Looked good yet again.
12: Olivier Giroud (6.5): It had to stop isn't it? Burnley crowded him out everytime, showing how teams fear him off late.
SUBSTITUTES:
21: Calum Chambers (N/A): Hardly was on the pitch for a few seconds.
23: Danny Welbeck (N/A): Had an attempt that went wide.
HIGHLIGHTS