Viktor Gyokeres and Declan Rice struck in the first half as Arsenal swept aside Burnley 2–0 at Turf Moor to go seven points clear at the top.
Gyokeres nodded in from close range before Rice headed home a Leandro Trossard cross. Burnley hit the post late on, but Mikel Arteta’s side were otherwise in complete control.
Here’s what the managers, players, pundits and stattos made of the action…
Mikel Arteta on the win…
The first half was exceptional; we scored two goals and gave nothing away. That was the platform. We had to make a few changes and didn’t have that much control in the second half. Defending was exceptional again; we didn’t give anything. There is a reason they have lost one game in 18 months here, against Liverpool in the last second of the game.
Source: BBC Match of the Day
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Scott Parker on Arsenal’s quality…
They are just a very, very good team. They are a team that has every single ingredient to go and win the league this year, in every facet of their game – defensively, attacking-wise, set plays, they are a top, top team and we just fell a little bit short today.
Source: Post-game press conference
Declan Rice on his goal…
It’s important we keep scoring goals. Two goals are perfect for us. If you look at the goal as a whole, we’re defending a long throw from our own half. Big Gabby wins the ball and I keep running with the ball. I was like a traditional number nine!
Source: Premier League Productions
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Burnley’s Josh Laurent on a tough afternoon…
The first half we found it difficult to be aggressive how we wanted to be and sort of get up to them and get into more duels, win more duels, make it difficult for them – which is props to them. We had to fix it, and I think we did as a team. The coaching staff recognised that, gave us the information and we tried to be a bit more competitive and more front footed in the second half to try and take the game to them more, to try and get back in the game.
Source: burnleyfootballclub.com
Arteta on Gyokeres’s performance and having to come off.
It’s not only the goal, it’s the performance. I think the first half is one of the best games that he’s played with us, he was exceptional in every single department. He felt something muscular so we have to wait and see the extent of that, but overall very happy.
Source: BBC Match of the Day
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Rice on taking to his knees and pointing to the sky after his goal…
My auntie passed away before the Fulham game. I loved her to death. Travelled everywhere to watch me with my mum. I know she’s watching down so that was for her today.
Source: Premier League Productions
Arteta on what he liked about Gyokeres’ performance…
Everything. His high press, his position, his touches, his threat in behind, the way he linked play, the way he got us from this situation to transition moments. A lot, I think he was in a really good moment, it’s a shame that he felt something.
Source: Post-game press conference
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Arteta on Rice’s man-of-the-match performance…
He stepped up. And when the team needed him the most, he won I don’t know how many tackles, he carried the ball, he scored the goal – that’s his evolution as a player.
Source: BBC Match of the Day
Arteta on Calafiori’s availability and consistency…
Very good. He’s been really stable. Some big performances. He’s 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. We have a lot of players in really good moments because if not, we don’t win that many games in a row.
Source: Arsenal.com