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Aubameyang’s double saw Arsenal return to winning ways against Burnley after a disappointing week in which they lost two matches. Ozil was the major creator for Arsenal and justified his inclusion after a long absence from the starting lineup. With two goals in this match, Aubameyang goes top of the scoring charts in the Premier League, something no Arsenal striker has done for many years.
An Ashley Barnes goal in the second half did give Arsenal some nervy moments but their precision in counter attack and conversion rate from shots on target gave them the upper hand against Dyche’s team. The Gunners travel to Brighton on Boxing Day currently level on points with Chelsea.
Due to these three factors, Arsenal continued their quest for a top-4 finish.
#1 Aubameyang’s scintillating form
Mo Salah was at the top of the scoring charts before the start of the game at the Emirates, but Aubameyang made the Golden Boot race interesting with two neatly taken finishes. Lacazette was deployed on the left side of a front three and his co-ordination with Aubameyang was a treat to watch throughout the afternoon. This was Aubameyang’s fourth goal in the last three home games, and his conversion rate is what the Gunners have lacked over the years.
Aubameyang used the outside of the right boot for the first goal, while his second was an absolute rocket where he beat Joe Hart at the near post. His pace was too much to handle for the Burnley defence and his one-twos with Ozil and Lacazette were a delight to watch.
#2 Ozil’s creativity
Having missed a lot of games under Unai Emery for various (and sometimes bizarre) reasons, Emery said in the pre-match conference that they needed Ozil, and boy did he respond well to those comments. He was seen tracking back at every opportunity and also provided an outlet for counter attacking football after Arsenal took a 2-0 lead in the second half.
For the first goal, it was Ozil’s vision to find Sead Kolasinac at the far post who gave an easy pass to Aubameyang, and the assist for Iwobi in stoppage time was even more sublime, as he cut back a pass for Iwobi after refusing to take a shot at goal himself.
Ozil’s creativity is what Arsenal needs and Emery should use all his man-management skills to bring out the best in Ozil.
#3 Sead Kolasinac’s marauding presence at left wing back
Most of Arsenal’s attacks came from the left side of the field where Sead Kolasinac was always on his bike at the slightest hint of an opportunity. His cut back for Aubameyang for the first goal and his cut back for Lacazette for the second goal were both precise passes, and he troubled the Burnley defense all day long.
Even with Monreal’s injury today, Unai Emery was quick to go back to the tried and tested 3-4-3, which gave Sead the extra freedom to have an impact on the game. With Monreal not the fittest or the paciest defender in the Arsenal squad anymore, Kolasinac looks like a more than able long term solution on the left side of the defense.
His physical ability was never in doubt, and now his creative ability is giving Emery some exciting options.
