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Arsenal 3 Burnley 1 | Talking Points

Arsenal moved level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea after a comfortable win against struggling Burnley.

Arsenal restored captain Mesut Ozil and took the lead as the mercurial German fed Kolasinac whose pull back allowed Aubameyang to prod home and give Arsenal their first halftime lead all season. Aubameyang extended the lead after combining with Lacazette before Ashley Barnes pulled one back after a scramble. Arsenal sealed the win with a late goal by substitute Iwobi as Arsenal ended pulled level with Chelsea, separated by goal difference as Burnley contemplate a relegation battle.

Rocket Ozil

The German World Cup winner was restored to the team as captain and gave a stereotypical performance at home against a relegation zone opponent, running the show.

His late run through the middle of the Burnley defence sealed the win but it was the opener that showcased Ozil’s worth. A packed Burnley defence was unpicked by a ball with so much craft, spin and vision it looked like Ronnie O’Sullivan positional shot.

A player with that much vision, ability and creativity and a World Cup winners medal shouldn’t be under such scrutiny all the time but Ozil’s languid, inconsistent style demands such scrutiny and hopefully Emery can find a use for a player seemingly drifting in English football.

Does Aubameyang need Lacazette?

Both big money strikers played against Burnley and every drawn or struggling game that passes with Aubameyang or Lacazette on the bench draws questions. Although the Frenchman wasn’t at his best his part in setting up Aubameyang for the second suggests that playing both should be a priority over finding room for Ozil, Iwobi, Ramsey and Mkhitaryan.

Aubameyang moved to the top of the Golden Boot charts with his brace but both him and Lacazette look better players together than apart.

90MAAT Magazine

“Lads, it’s Burnley”

The Clarets have come under incredible criticism for their recent approaches to away games against Tottenham and Arsenal and perhaps last seasons overachievement should be considered when evaluating the set up chosen by Sean Dyche to keep his team in the division.

Sokratis the key

Amongst the injury crisis and instability of a new manager Arsenal have struggled to keep clean sheets even in a good run of form. Last weeks defeat by Southampton showed Koscielny is a long way from his best whilst Mustafi has needed the guidance of one player all season.

Sokratis has been a steady consistent player all season and one reaction today showed just how vital he has become. A last-ditch tackle rescued sloppy play and his reaction and demand in concentration suggest that Koscielny and Mustafi will fight out to partner him rather than play together.

Joe Hart; Dragons Den nightmare

One issue always asked on the popular BBC show is that the candidate has solved a problem that didn’t exist. Given the Burnley defensive record last year and Nick Pope’s overachievement against xG against it remains to be seen what Joe Hart’s average performance and presumably high wage bill is bringing to Burnley’s relegation battle.

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