Daily Archives: February 3, 2020

Burnley 0-0 Arsenal: Wasteful Gunners Drop Points Again

Aubameyang wasted clear cut chances (via Arsenal.com)

Match Report Match Highlights Post-Match Press Conference

Final Result: Burnley 0-0 Arsenal

Arsenal XI (subs) (4-2-3-1): Leno; Bellerin, Mustafi, D. Luiz, Saka (Torreira); Xhaka, Guendouzi; Aubameyang, Ozil (Willock), Martinelli; Lacazette (Nketiah)

A whole lot has changed since Mikel Arteta took over at the club but the results haven’t been convincing with Arsenal dropping points from good positions. Arsenal has become more compact under the new gaffer, but the club has struggled in the attacking department with the favored center forward, Alexandre Lacazette, still struggling to find the back of the net. When you consider the fact that the team’s top goal scorer, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, shunted to the left flank to accommodate the misfiring French forward, it becomes tiring.

The only time Lacazette was at the danger area was early in the game when he received a lofted ball from Aubameyang but he planted his header wide off the mark. He offered nothing for the entirety of the game before he was replaced by Eddie Nketiah. Seeing Lacazette struggle like this on a consistent basis is painful to watch but Aubameyang was very profligate has he had two cleat cut chances as well as a header that was guided wide,

Arsenal can also thank their lucky stars for Burnley’s Jay Rodriguez shot that hit the underside of the bar but didn’t pass the goal line. At least, the referee had his watch to show him that. This was Arsenal’s 13th draw this season, and the club is still languishing in mid-table after sharing the spoils with Burnley at Turf Moor.

Should the fans expect any better? Maybe. The season has been shambolic but with Arteta at the helm, the performances of certain players have drastically improved. Take a certain Skhodran Mustafi for instance, that has been a horror show in most of his games. The German defender had an awesome outing against Burnley, making clearances, interceptions and blocks with helped his team keep a rare clean sheet. He earned a 9.0 rating in the player rating post published yesterday.

Granit Xhaka’s versatility came into the fore with Bukayo Saka subsitituted at half time due to injury. Arteta confirmed that he had a knee and hip injury, which is a shame bearing in mind that he has been very impressive deputizing in that position. Hopefully, he will get back to full fitness during this two week break in Dubai.

Arsenal’s game against Newcastle comes up in two weeks time, so we will expect the players to be in great spirits ahead of what will be a crunch encounter at the Emirates.