When push comes to shove,

ARSENE WENGER left it late to arrive at Turf Moor yesterday and his side left it even later to clinch an important victory that lifted the Gunners into the top four.

Alexis Sanchez struck a 92nd-minute penalty, disputed by Burnley, after James Tarkowski had pushed Aaron Ramsey in the back as he competed for a cross.

It was a dramatic end, perhaps a predictable one given that this was the third consecutive meeting between the teams in which Arsenal have scored a last-minute winner.

And after Wenger had lost Mesut Ozil to illness on the morning of the match, and then only arrived at the ground

BURNLEY ARSENAL

50 minutes before kick-off because of traffic problems, it was a much better end to the day for the Arsenal manager.

“The doctor came to see me and said Mesut could not play,” said Wenger. “He was in the hotel with us but travelled back.

“There were traffic problems getting here so we arrived at 1pm and there were only 17 of us. How bad is Ozil, will he be available for Wednesday? We’ll see what it is.” The penalty controversy was preceded by another Arsenal claim after Robbie Brady tackled Hector Bellerin in the area and while Ramsey may have made a meal of the contact from Tarkowski, there was clear contact by the Burnley man.

“From outside it looked 100 per cent a penalty,” said Wenger. “I don’t know why he pushed him with two hands in the back.

“There was one on Bellerin as well. I can understand why they were disappointed but from our side it looked a penalty.

“Ramsey didn’t throw himself on the ground, he wanted to go back and flick the ball, he was pushed in the back.

“He has a problem in his neck from the push, it was a very strong push.” Sanchez kept his composure impressively to convert the penalty and continue Arsenal’s momentum that was picked up in that important win over Tottenham last week.

Given the fact that Arsenal had only four points on their travels this season and given Burnley’s impressive start to the campaign, it was a result that could have far greater significance for Wenger’s side moving forward.

“For us, after the win against Tottenham it was important to go away from home and play a different game and win it,” said Wenger.

Arsenal started slowly after their less-than-ideal preparation