Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang underwhelmed on return while David Luiz and Shkodran Mustafi were solid as Arsenal and Burnley played out a 0-0 draw on Sunday.
Arsenal were dominant to begin with, conjuring up two early chances, only for Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to miss from close range. Burnley slowly grew into the game and fashioned openings of their own, with Jay Rodriguez being denied by Bernd Leno.
As the game progressed, it was the hosts who were engineering the better chances and it was only some questionable finishing that meant the score remained at 0-0. In the end, the deadlock was never broken, as both teams shared the spoils. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over Mikel Arteta’s men.
Bernd Leno: 7/10
With Burnley struggling to make the best of the chances they created, Leno was not really called into action all that much. On the two occasions he was tested, the German was equal to Rodriguez and Dwight McNeil’s efforts. Assured when distributing from the box.
Hector Bellerin: 6.5/10
A solid performance for the most part by Bellerin, who never really let McNeil get past him on the day. However, he should have done better to stop the barrage of crosses that Burnley sent into the box from his flank, with most of the hosts’ chances coming via that route. Slowly getting back to his best.
Shkodran Mustafi: 8/10
Mustafi is going through a career renaissance since Arteta was appointed as the Arsenal manager. On Sunday, the much-maligned German defender was once again in his elements, keeping a check on Chris Wood superbly. Mustafi was never really beaten in the air, winning the most aerial duels (7). Composed with the ball at his feet as well, completing 6 accurate long passes.
David Luiz: 8/10
Like his partner at the heart of the Arsenal defence, Luiz was in fine touch at the back. As always, the Brazilian was on point when building up play from the back and one of his long passes found its way to Aubameyang and sent the Arsenal captain clean through on goal. Very little to fault his effort at the back apart from the instance he lost Rodriguez, whose header smashed the bar.
Bukayo Saka: 5/10
Another outing as a makeshift left-back. This time around, Saka was not quite at his best, with Jeff Hendrick taking advantage of the youngster being out of position a few times. Going forward, he carried a threat, but his deliveries lacked precision. Taken off injured at half-time.
Matteo Guendouzi: 6/10
Guendouzi was preferred to Lucas Torreira in the midfield double pivot yet again, and this was a mixed bag of an outing for the Frenchman. Sloppy on the ball at times, he notably lost possession to gift McNeil a big chance. However, he relished the physical battle and did well against his counterparts in the middle of the park on that account.
Granit Xhaka: 6.5/10
A super showing by the former Arsenal captain. In the first half, Xhaka set the tempo of the game and linked up well with Aubameyang. Had to shift into the left-back slot after Saka was subbed off and this is when he became a bit restricted. Still remained incisive with the ball at his feet, although unsure positioning, through little fault of his own, meant Hendrick was in play a lot of times.
Gabriel Martinelli: 5/10
Martinelli impressed with his work-rate, always putting a shift in to support Bellerin in the defensive phase. However, going forward, this was an evening wherein the Brazilian was lackluster and did not trouble the Burnley defence much. A rare blip, judging by his recent form.
Mesut Ozil: 6/10
A game in which Ozil suffered more from the shortcomings of his teammates than his own. The German playmaker often had to drop deep to collect the ball and make things happen. Still created a couple of chances, but all in all, this was a frustrating outing for Ozil, on the day he was turning out for the 250th time for Arsenal.
Alexandre Lacazette’s last Premier League goal away from home: 9th February 2019
Mesut Özil’s last Premier League assist away from home: 30th January 2018
No time like the present. ? pic.twitter.com/b6cVPID5Q7
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 2, 2020
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: 4/10
Back into the side after a three-game layoff, Aubameyang seemed to be a man on a mission, running at the Burnley defenders and looking to find pockets of spaces. Was handed two golden opportunities apart from other half chances, which he inexplicably failed to finish. The difference between a win and a draw in the end. Where were his finishing boots?
Alexandre Lacazette: 4/10
Lacazette, too, had a great chance to break the deadlock, but he was slow to react and could not find the back of the net. Delivered an exquisite cross for Aubameyang only to see the Arsenal captain head wide. His slump continues. Lacazette’s last Premier League goal on the road was nearly a year back. A damning stat. Something needs to give as he continues his struggling run.
SUBSTITUTES
Lucas Torreira: 5/10
On for Saka, Torreira filled the space vacated by Xhaka in midfield. This is the time when Arsenal lost their control on the game as the Uruguayan did not possess the same adeptness. A poor display.
Joe Willock: 5/10
Willock replaced Ozil but struggled to get up to the pace of the game. When he eventually did so, the youngster was unable to produce a game-changing moment.
Eddie Nketiah: N/A
A late introduction, Nketiah did not have time to make an impact.
