Wood takes Gunners gift

All Whites striker Chris Wood scored one of the easiest goals of his career as Burnley drew 1-1 with Arsenal in the Premier League yesterday.

Arsenal’s bold approach of playing the ball out from the back since the arrival of Mikel Arteta as manager 15 months ago has drawn praise and led to some superbly constructed goals.

It comes with obvious risks, however, and that was highlighted in the equaliser conceded that left their chances of qualifying for European competitions even more unlikely.

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka received a short pass from goalkeeper Bernd Leno, took a slightly heavy touch on to his weaker right foot, then attempted a pass across the face of goal around Wood.

The ball ended up striking Wood on his hip and careering into the net, the unwitting scorer looking slightly sheepish as he celebrated. The goal was his 40th in the Premier League in his 100th start for Burnley.

“It’s the way we want to play,” said Arteta, whose side had led through a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang goal. “We have to know the risk and the rules for the way we want to play.”

The Champions League looks beyond Arsenal, nine points off the top four, unlike Leicester City, even with their growing list of injuries.

A header from Daniel Amartey at an 87th-minute corner completed Leicester’s comeback in a 2-1 win at Brighton that lifted Brendan Rodgers’ side into second place ahead of the Manchester derby this morning.

Kelechi Iheanacho started the recovery, lifting a deft finish over Robert Sanchez in the 62nd minute to cancel out Adam Lallana’s goal in the 10th for Brighton.

Leicester have a seven-point buffer to fifth-placed Everton in the race to finish in the top four.

Aston Villa and Wolverhampton drew 0-0, while Southampton beat last-placed Sheffield United 2-0 — a first victory in 10 games.