3 things we learned from Arsenal’s hard-fought win over Burnley
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Well that wasn’t something we were expecting.
But after 98 gruelling minutes, Arsenal finally saw off Sean Dyche’s Burnley. So what did we learn from today’s game? Ladbrokes News takes a look at the major points from north London this afternoon…
If anyone can catch Chelsea, it’s the Gunners
They may be the most expensive side in the league for fans to go and watch, but Arsenal certainly provide value for money.
Alexis Sanchez’s injury time strike meant that Gunners supporters have celebrated nine goals in the last 15 minutes of games in all competitions at the Emirates so far this season, and 24 with away matches combined – more than any side in the top-flight.
While Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United all dropped points this weekend, Arsenal continued their fine form and leapfrogged their rivals into second.
Wenger’s men are developing a habit of getting the job done late on – will that be the case for the Premier League title?
But Xhaka suspension comes at worst possible time
With Mohamed Elneny away on international duty, Jack Wilshere on loan at Bournemouth and Santi Cazorla facing even more time out on the sideleines, Arsenal were already desperately short in the centre of the park.
But Granit Xhaka’s red card this afternoon (his second of the season) means Aaron Ramsey and Francis Coquelin are the only recognised central midfielders Wenger can call upon for the next three games.
Look away now Arsenal fans, because that includes the clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Though Coquelin and Ramsey actually offer a perfect balance in the engine room, it remains to be seen whether or not they can form a solid enough partnership in time for the trip to west London three games from now.
The French boss will likely be spending the 80 minutes biting his nails that Ramsey can stay fit and his hot-headed partner remains calm.
Burnley will rely on home form to climb table
Today’s defeat means the Clarets have taken one point from a possible 30 on the road this season. Yet remarkably, Dyche’s men find themselves in 13th place in the table, some 10 points off the drop zone.
Any Premier League side welcoming the Lancashire outfit to their ground will feel confident of taking all three points, which means the Premier league returnees will rely heavily on their solid form at Turf Moor if they’re to finish in a respectable position.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
