Mikel Arteta talked about another big victory for Arsenal against Burnley.
Viktor Gyökeres put in one of his best performances for the Gunners, grabbing an early goal from a corner kick to set the tone. Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard came close to scoring a second strike before Declan Rice raced onto a delivery from the left winger to head home in open play.
A 2-0 lead was enough for the guests at Turf Moor as their defensive discipline made up for some sloppiness on the ball, and the Premier League leaders are eight points clear at the top of the table.
“Very happy. It’s a really tough place to come.
“They’ve lost once in 18 months, against Liverpool, with the last kick of the game from a penalty. I think we started the game exceptionally well. I think the first half was one of the best that we’ve played. Scored two goals, generated another two or three big chances and conceded nothing.
“That was a platform because in the second half, we dropped the standards, especially with the ball, with our intentions to take more risks and play forwards. But again, defensively we were exceptional, till the point of the free-kick, we were a bit lucky that it hit the post and kept the clean sheet.
“In midweek we did exactly the same. At the end, against teams that want to defend in that low block, it is more difficult and Burnley, credit to them, because they are very, very well organised and the big teams have struggled big time to generate chances and opportunities against them. We certainly did that, especially in the first half. I’m happy with that, but there’s still a lot of things to improve.
“We have been discussing this season, the games that we have struggled or dropped points in, especially last season. We knew the challenge today and the level that we’re going to have to show to beat them because they have this spirit and this belief to get results here at home and you could feel that. So what we’ve done, big credit to the boys.
“[Viktor’s] high press, his position and his touches, his threading behind, the way he linked play, the way he got us from this situation to transition moments. I think he was in a really good moment.
“Very good. [Riccardo Calafiori] has been really stable. Some big performances. He has been a big contributor to what we’re doing defensively as well. He gives a lot in attack with his position and his threat. He continues to create chaos for the opposition. Individually, you have to be at your best.”