A calamitous Granit Xhaka error handed Burnley a 1-1 draw against Arsenal at Turf Moor last Saturday.
Mikel Arteta made 5 changes from the rested side that beat Leicester, bringing in Aubameyang, Saka, Ødegaard, Partey and Callum Chambers, who made his first Premier League start since December 2019.
Arsenal got off to a flying start, scoring 6 minutes in. Thomas Partey picked up the ball on the edge of the Arsenal box, playing a one two with Xhaka and feeding it through to Willian. The Brazilian carried the ball into the Burnley third, releasing Aubameyang on the left who then cut inside. The Arsenal striker worked some space, beating two Burnley defenders with stepovers, before striking the ball low at the near post, catching Nick Pope off guard and giving the Gunners an early lead.
Aubameyang 1-0
Burnley’s equaliser came in the 39th minute through an astonishing mistake from Granit Xhaka. Leno laid the ball to Xhaka inside the Arsenal penalty area, with the midfielder curiously taking a touch which put him in danger. He then looked to sweep the ball out to Luiz, instead firing it straight off of Chris Wood’s chest with the ball ricocheting into the net in bizarre fashion.
Wood 1-1
Deep into the second half, VAR played a decisive role in the game The incident saw Nicolas Pépé look to take on Erik Pieters as the ball was bouncing. As Pépé flicked the ball up, Erik Pieters' outstretched arm moved towards the ball, winning Burnley possession. A penalty was not given due to “proximity” but if a player’s arm is in an unnatural position, as it was, then it should always be a penalty.
Penalty Incident
Arsenal continued pushing to the final whistle with Saka having a shot cleared off the line and Dani Ceballos’ follow up crashing off the post in the 94th minute.
It was a game Arsenal undoubtedly should have won. They created a number of good opportunities with Saka and Pépé in particular failing to capitalise and the VAR decision added to the frustration by not giving a clear penalty.
Arsenal took a commanding lead in their Europa League tie Thursday night, beating Olympiacos 3-1 away from home.
Arteta’s side came out the blocks strong, pressuring Olympiacos and creating a number of good chances which they were unable to take.
It was Martin Ødegaard, who had missed one of those early chances, who opened the scoring in the 34th minute. Arsenal pressed high with Olympiacos struggling to get out of their penalty area, playing a loose pass which was picked up by Thomas Partey. The Ghanaian found Ødegaard who shaped to shoot from 25 yards, lashing a poweful shot into the centre of the goal over the keeper. It was a powerful strike which caught the keeper off guard, seeing him strangely turn it into his own net.
Ødegaard 1-0
Just before the hour mark, Arsenal found themselves in a familiar situation with Bernd Leno passing the ball into Dani Ceballos who was being closed down by 3 Olympiacos players. Ceballos, with few options, looked to take on El-Arabi, instead losing the ball, which the striker curled beyond Leno to even the score. Leno was out of his box and under hit the pass to Ceballos, creating unnecessary danger and costing Arsenal their lead.
El-Arabi 1-1
In the 79th minute Arsenal retook the lead through a superb Gabriel header. Ødegaard played a short corner to Willian who floated a deep cross towards the back of the box. Gabriel made a darting run towards the ball, climbing high and heading the ball back across into the far corner leaving the keeper helpless.
Gabriel 2-1
With 5 minutes to go, Arsenal recycled the ball with Xhaka and Ceballos working the ball back to Gabriel who then found Elneny in space in the middle. Elneny carried the ball towards the Olympiacos box, unleashing a strike from 25 yards which cannoned off the post, giving Arsenal a 3-1 win with 3 vital away goals.
Elneny 3-1
The past two games have shone a light on Arsenal’s playing out of the back, with the Gunners conceding sloppy goals against both Burnley and Olympiacos. It is a tactic Arteta has persisted with throughout his time at Arsenal, and one that has resulted in a number of sublime team goals.
Until these past two games, Arsenal have typically not been punished from playing out from the back with the team holding good shape to provide options for the player on the ball, and the players being accurate with their passes. The main difference in these games has been in the way the opposition counters the build-up play – now it is time for Arsenal to adapt.
In last season’s FA Cup Semi Final, the build-up to Aubameyang’s first goal saw Manchester City sit off Arsenal, allowing them to progress forward. Ceballos can drop deep unmarked to pick up the ball from the keeper before turning and moving the ball wide to a free player.
In the game against Burnley however, as Xhaka drops deep, Wood and Guðmundsson cut off the options to the centre backs. Xhaka drops too deep which makes it easier for the Burnley players to block the passing lanes, resulting in Xhaka’s mistake and therefore a goal.
In Thursday’s game, the Olympiacos forwards look to cut off the Arsenal centre backs as Leno plays the ball into Ceballos who then has no options. In this instance, Leno had a pass on to David Luiz as the Olympiacos press had left a gap. Leno was outside of his box when playing a risky pass which made the mistake easier to punish.
Arsenal are going to persist passing out from the back as that is part of the identity of a Mikel Arteta team. Now teams are beginning to target Arsenal’s build up, it is up to Arsenal to adapt in order to prevent more sloppy goals.
Up next for Arsenal is North London Derby against Tottenham on Sunday at 4:30pm. Arsenal have been playing well of late but have given up too many needless goals and sadly it would not be a surprise if the same happens again here. Tottenham, in comparison, are on a 3 game win streak in the Premier League with Gareth Bale beginning to hit form. That being said, I always have to give Arsenal the edge in the derby.
On Thursday night Arsenal play the second leg of their Europa League tie against Olympiacos. With a commanding lead, it is likely that Arteta will look to rest a few of his stars ahead of a difficult West Ham game, but it is a game Arsenal ought to still win.
Predictions:
Arsenal 2 - 1 Tottenham
Arsenal 1 - 0 Olympiacos
(Media Credit: Arsenal, RMC, Duck Highlights)
Adam Perry - 12/03/2021