Gabriel Jesus faces a whole new challenge following his return at Arsenal as Mikel Arteta finally addresses a critical in-game need. Gabriel Jesus faces a whole new challenge following his return at Arsenal as Mikel Arteta finally addresses a critical in-game need.
Arsenal secured an important victory over Burnley in the Premier League when goals from Leandro Trossardi, William Saliba and Oleksandr Zinchenko were enough to overcome a tough Burnley side that threatened to derail the Gunners’ title after Josh Brownhills’ equaliser. It was a much-needed result after the defeat on Tyneside and Mikel Arteta will be glad that, despite some questionable decisions, the referees are not focusing on… much this time.
Some decisions had to be made in the eleven with Eddie Nketiah returning to fitness and Ben White leaving altogether. However, the team looked solid and produced several impressive performances.
good luck
Leandro Trossard
A very brave Leandro Trossard started the game with the opening goal, diving a header past James Trafford. The Burnley keeper collided with the Belgian, who then hit the post and appeared to have badly injured his hand.
A Somerset police car collided with a lorry in Norton Fitzwarren
Fortunately, he was able to recover and continued in the second half. Two goals in two games is another indication of how skilled he is in a central role. If he continues after the break, given the potential return of Gabriel Jesus, he has a good chance of locking it down if he can actually continue that impressive streak. The dynamic creativity he adds that no one like Nketia can match will definitely give him an edge.
Perhaps that opened the door for Zinchenko to return to the team after being traded last weekend. His progress has certainly been a thorn in Kompany’s side, and the full-back in particular has been clearly more than usual.
If that was an instruction from his coach, he certainly followed it. The question now, after the international break, is if Ben White returns, who will be without a player?
It may seem late, but considering how late Saka is before he gets too many shots and goes loose, I prefer to see it as progress. A red card meant a defensive change was needed and Jakub Kiwior indeed came on.
Concern
Fabio Vieira
Speaking of red cards, Fabio Vieira was sent off for a situation few could argue with. The Portuguese midfielder went down late in his challenge and grabbed a player’s leg, leaving Michael Oliver with no choice but to send him off. He struck an understandably frustrated figure, not with the officials but clearly with himself. Mikel Arteta stayed put and did not welcome him for the 2022 summer deal he brought in to replace Kai Havertz at the start of the second half.
Inconsistencies between judges
Arsenal is constantly involved in some questionable decisions. In this context, the use of the word “recently” no longer occurs, because the problems with decisions and Arsenal span a period that cannot be put on a time frame.
Later, Jay Rodriguez stood up for a header and appeared to backstab like Saka earlier, but Michael Oliver didn’t care. Two cases, same move and different results from the same judge… confusing and yet very common these days.
Ben White
The England international was missing from the matchday squad. It was the first Premier League game he had missed in a long time as he has built a reputation for playing through a lot of pain in the past.
Arteta explained it like this: “finished the game against Sevilla with problems and did not have enough time to recover.” Let’s hope this sounds like a minor thing and the break from the national team will give time to recover.