Arteta so pleased as all Guns blaze
MIKEL ARTETA praised his young Gunners’ resilience as they made it back-toback wins. Martin Odegaard produced the game’s one moment of brilliance when he whipped home a free-kick to continue Arsenal’s recovery from their dreadful start.
Arteta was proud of the way his side stood up to Burnley’s physical threat to stretch their unbeaten league record at Turf Moor to 48 years.
“It builds confidence, trust and belief that you can go through difficult moments of games and still win,” said the Arsenal boss.
“It was a hard-fought victory at a really tough place. You have to be ready for a fight here.
“We have players who are not at their strength playing in this type of game, but they did their best and we got the win. I’m very proud of them defensively and I’m really pleased with the win.”
Burnley felt they were wrongly denied a penalty when referee Anthony Taylor reversed his decision to award them a spot-kick for an Aaron Ramsdale (below) challenge on Matejvydra.
It was similar to the penalty Leeds’ Patrick Bamford won against Nick Pope at Elland Road in December and boss Sean Dyche was bemused by Taylor’s decision.
“Unfortunately that one went against us last year and this one doesn’t go for us, which is not a major surprise with our penalty record,” he said.
“I must say the goalkeeper does get a touch on it no question and I have seen it back after the game.you’ve got to question why is that a clear and obvious error if the referee has to go to the VAR screen.”
Arsenal won with a performance that was workmanlike rather than wonderful. Burnley pushed hard but this loss extends their club record winless league run to 13 games.
The Clarets were physical and Arsenal made them pay on 30 minutes when Ashley Westwood fouled Bukayo
Saka to give away a free-kick just under 25 yards out.
Odegaard whipped his left-footed effort over the wall and past Pope’s despairing dive.
Arsenal defended resolutely and Gabriel made a goal-saving tackle on Ashley Barnes before sub Maxwel Cornet was denied a debut goal by a smart
Ramsdale save.