Burnley put up an admirable fight as they pushed Arsenal all the way during a narrow defeat at the Emirates.
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Many had simply expected the Clarets to roll over for the title-chasing Gunners, who were keen to bolster their goal difference in the midst of their intense battle with Manchester City.
But Burnley proved the result was anything put a formality, as they caused nervy and anxious scenes in North London during their 1-0 defeat.
Burnley remained organised and tough to break down throughout, while still managing to carry a threat on the break.
But it was a set piece, Arsenal’s super strength, that decided the game, as Kai Havertz - who was fortunate to avoid a red card in the second half - headed home from a Bukayo Saka cross.
While it now means Burnley have won just one of their last 28 league games, and can be overtaken by Wolves on the final day next week, the Clarets can take plenty of heart and pride from this display under interim boss Mike Jackson, in what is their final away game of the campaign.
Jackson made a brave call with his team selection, by naming an unchanged side from the XI that produced an encouraging display during the 2-2 draw with Aston Villa last time out.
Kai Havertz heads Arsenal in front from a Bukayo Saka corner (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)placeholder image
Kai Havertz heads Arsenal in front from a Bukayo Saka corner (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
It meant Hannibal was fit enough to start again after his injury scare, where he was brought off as a precaution during the second half.
Jordan Beyer, Connor Roberts and Josh Cullen all remain sidelined, while Mike Tresor, Lyle Foster, Ashley Barnes and Armando Broja were all left out.
As for Arsenal, they made three changes as Cristhian Mosquera, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz came in for Ben White, Lewis Myles-Skelly and Viktor Gyokeres.
There was a real party atmosphere inside the Emirates before the game had even got underway, with the Arsenal fans presumingly expecting this game to be a formality for their side.
But it was Burnley who forced a corner inside the opening 60 seconds, which immediately led to another one that prompted the game’s first chance - as Florentino Luis dragged a shot just wide, with David Raya at full stretch.
The game soon settled down into the predictable pattern, with Arsenal’s attack versus Burnley’s defence, with the Clarets working tirelessly to cover the spaces.
For all of their dominance, Arsenal had to wait until the 14th minute for their first attempt as Kai Havertz failed to hit the target following a cleverly-worked short corner routine.
They came a whisker away with the following move though, as Leandro Trossard saw his low effort rebound off the foot of the post after cutting inside from the left flank.
The visitors were remaining disciplined though, staying in their shape and pressing at the right moment to put the Gunners under pressure.
Having been so jubilant prior to kick off, the modo quickly became nervous and angsty. That mood could have deteriorated further had Burnley defied the odds and took the lead through Hannibal, who swiped wide of the upright after being picked out at the far post by Loum Tchaouna.
The Tunisian, who was fortunate to escape punishment a minute prior for a needless foul on Gabriel, soon picked up a booking for another late challenge on the Arsenal defender.
Known to be something off a hothead, this left Hannibal on a disciplinary tightrope for the remainder of the game, potentially impacting his combativeness in the process.
Speaking of refereeing decisions, Arsenal felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Bukayo Saka went to ground at the back post under pressure from Lucas Pires, but Paul Tierney waved away the appeals and VAR backed up the decision.
This only served to increase the volume levels inside the Emirates though, as Martin Odegaard went close with an effort from 10 yards out that Lesley Ugochukwu did well to divert wide.
But the Gunners weren’t to be denied from the resulting corner, as Havertz headed home unopposed from Saka’s delivery.
While it was frustrating from Burnley’s perspective to have their resolve broken, there wasn’t a great deal they could have done to avoid the goal. Arsenal are simply too strong from set pieces.
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It could have easily got worse for them though before the half was up, as Saka curled agonisingly wide of the upright with a trademark effort from just outside the box.
Despite going a goal down, Burnley’s approach remained very much the same: sit back, soak up pressure and frustrate the home side, who were keen to add further goals in a bid to boost their goal difference.
They almost capitalised on a Eberechi Eze mistake too, as Jaidon Anthony pounced upon a weak sidewards pass to fire just over from 25 yards out.
Eze almost atoned for the error, at the other end, as he volleyed a shot into the turf and just over, via a clip of the Burnley crossbar.
The England man was again right in the thick of the action just moments later, when his header deflected off Maxime Esteve and into the grateful hands of Max Weiss.
Burnley continued to ask questions though, as Hannibal fired well over after the Clarets had forced another Arsenal mistake in their own half.
With more and more mistakes beginning to creep into Arsenal’s game, and space beginning to open up, the nerves and angst returned.
Midway through the second half, VAR was forced to check a possible red card for Arsenal’s Havertz after a raking challenge down the back of Ugochukwu’s legs. But the incident was cleared and the game was allowed to continue without any further punishment.
Replays showed the German was incredibly fortunate to remain on the pitch for what was a clear red.
While the dying stages were incredibly nervous for the home supporters, Burnley struggled to create anything in the way of clear-cut opportunities and the Gunners just about held on by the skin of their teeth.
TEAMS
Arsenal: Raya, Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel. Calafiori (Hincapie), Rice, Odegaard (Zubimendi), Saka, Eze (Lewis-Skelly), Trossard (Martinelli), Havertz (Gyokeres)
Subs not used: Kepa, Dowman, Madueke, Jesus
Burnley: Weiss, Walker, Tuanzebe, Esteve (Humphreys), Pires, Florentino (Ward-Prowse), Ugochukwu (Laurent), Hannibal (Amdouni), Tchaouna (Bruun Larsen), Anthony, Flemming
Subs not used: Dubravka, Worrall, Hartman, Edwards
Referee: Paul Tierney
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