Gyokeres continued his seamless adaptation to Premier League intensity by opening the scoring with instinct and control.
His movement stretched Burnley, his intelligence threaded Arsenal’s transitions and his industry set the tone. Mikel Arteta did not hide his admiration. “I think that was one of the best games he (Gyokeres) has played,” said Arteta. “I think overall his performance was exceptional.”
Arteta continued, “Everything, his high press, his position and his touches. His running in behind, the way he linked play, the way he got us from this situation to transition moments, a lot.” Praise rooted in detail, the hallmark of a manager who values patterns and behaviours as much as outcomes.
Yet reality intruded. Gyokeres was withdrawn at half time, and the manager revealed why. “It’s a shame that he felt something. We had to take him off because he was feeling a little niggle. So we’ll have to wait and see. He felt something muscular so we have to wait to learn the extent of that.”
Zubimendi, meanwhile, had been the quiet conductor again, gliding, breaking lines, shielding, recycling. Then came the raised hand. “He asked to be subbed, so we’ll have to wait and see,” Arteta confirmed. No alarm sounded, but tension lives in silence as well as noise.
Performance Strength and Strategic Calm
This Arsenal side has become a machine built on discipline and clarity. Seven straight clean sheets speak to cohesion, communication and the value of structure. Burnley barely breathed in Arsenal’s half and did not register a shot on target. The manager reflected calmly.
“The first half was exceptional, we scored two goals and gave nothing away,” Arteta said. “That was the platform. We had to make a few changes and did not have that much control in the second half. The defending was exceptional again, we did not give anything away.”
The progress is clear. Champions govern games with control and steel. Arsenal look every inch that level, and the confidence to weather adversity has grown with each passing week. But rhythm, particularly midfield rhythm, cannot be fractured without consequence.
Focus Shifts to Europe and Squad Depth
Tuesday brings a European test and Arsenal will hope both Gyokeres and Zubimendi prove fit enough to travel. Arteta has depth, but losing two core components at once would test versatility and resilience.
Elite seasons are decided not just by brilliance, but by endurance. Arsenal have built a lead and a standard, and now they await fitness news that may shape the cadence of their winter push. Hope rests on precaution rather than concern.
A seven point lead, defensive solidity, and a forward line humming with intent creates a platform many envy. Yet campaigns of this nature are built on hardened legs as much as sharp minds. Arsenal must now trust their medical department as much as their midfield.