Arsenal 5-0 Burnley: 5 Talking Points

Arsene Wenger Guard of Honour Burnley
Arsene Wenger received a guard of honour in his final home game

Arsenal beat Burnley at the Emirates in what was Arsene Wenger's final home game in charge of the Gunners. After 22 years, the French manager will be stepping down at the end of the season and his players ensured he departed with a farewell gift.

Goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Sead Kolasinac, and Alex Iwobi ensured the north London side collected all three points.

The game wasn't really about the result, though. It was an occasion to celebrate the achievements of Wenger and the 68-year-old fittingly received a guard of honour from both teams prior to kickoff.

Here are the major talking points from the game.


#1 Mesut Ozil's absence did not affect Arsenal

Mesut Ozil Arsenal Burnley
Mesut Ozil was unfit for the Burnley game but was present at the Emirates

When the starting lineups were announced, one name that was noticeably absent was Arsenal's playmaker-in-chief Mesut Ozil. The German was reportedly out with a back problem but he was at the Emirates to support the team and pay tribute to his manager.

However, it did spark a huge debate on whether Ozil really was injured or not. With nothing left to play for this season, many accused the 29-year-old of saving himself for Germany's defence of the World Cup in Russia next month.

In his absence, Alex Iwobi was given a chance to play in the no.10 role in front of Jack Wilshere and Granit Xhaka. The 22-year-old Nigerian wasn't up to the mark with his passing but he did find the top corner in the second half with a well-taken strike.

It was Henrikh Mkhitaryan, though, who stepped up to create opportunities and even get into the box to get on the end of some crisp passes to take shots on goal.

#2 Burnley failed to turn up

Arsenal v Burnley - Premier League
Burnley's Ashley Barnes was substituted after sustaining an injury

Shots on target by Burnley in the first half - zero! It is safe to say that it was all Arsenal in the first half. With 65% of the possession, it was the home side shaking off the negative result from midweek to ensure Wenger received a fitting farewell in his final home game.

Burnley were ineffective as a whole going forward and when Ashley Barnes went down following a collision with Granit Xhaka, things got even worse.

The English forward had to be taken off with his arm in a make-shift sling, confirming a shoulder injury. Sam Vokes was subbed on but he was also clattered to the floor by new boy Konstantinos Mavropanos.

The only time Petr Cech was really troubled in goal was when Mavropanos' back pass almost went out for a corner before the Czech goalkeeper managed to keep it in.

The second half was no different as the Gunners ran riot. Burnley only had two shots on target by the end of the game but Cech managed to keep a clean sheet without breaking a sweat.

#3 Aubameyang and Lacazette start together

Arsenal v West Ham United - Premier League
Both Aubameyang and Lacazette scored in the 5-0 win

With both his strikers firing in recent games - be it the league or in the Europa League - Wenger chose to start both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette together.

Although it wasn't a return to Wenger's roots at Arsenal with a classic 4-4-2, it did feel like one with both strikers causing trouble in the box.

Arsenal were lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation but Sead Kolasinac's wide runs allowed Aubameyang to drift in from the left while Lacazette occupied the right side of the box. On occasions, they would even switch flanks just to confuse Burnley.

Their constant movement - be it diagonal runs or dropping back to create space - worked perfectly as Lacazette's pass to the far post allowed Aubameyang to score the opening goal.

Lacazette also managed to get on the scoresheet, netting at the end of the first half after some good work from Hector Bellerin on the right flank.

#4 What next for Burnley and Sean Dyche?

Burnley v Brighton and Hove Albion - Premier League
Sean Dyche has done well to take Burnley up to seventh place

Before the game, Burnley were just three points behind Arsenal - although the Gunners did have a game in hand. It was the perfect opportunity for Sean Dyche and his team to put pressure on Arsenal by spoiling the farewell party and coming away with three points.

But this result now leaves them six points behind with the goal difference also too great to overcome. The Clarets will finish the season in seventh place - which is still a highly commendable achievement for the side whose resources are just a fraction of the top six.

The seventh-place finish now allows them to qualify for the Europa League. However, their summer will not be as long as the rest of the clubs. The two-legged tie will see them play their second qualifying round matches on 26 July and 2 August.

Most mid-table teams who participate in the Europa League have found it tough to sustain their form in two competitions over the course of the season. Only time will tell whether Dyche is up to the task.

#5 A fitting farewell - and not just for Wenger

Per Mertesacker
Arsenal captain Per Mertesacker played his final home game

Despite the sombre mood surrounding the club following their failure to qualify for the Champions League in successive seasons, the atmosphere was still one of a celebration of a club servant who had dedicated 22 years of his life to the club.

It wasn't just Wenger's last home game for Arsenal. Club captain Per Mertesacker will also be retiring at the end of the season. The big German defender was allowed to come on as a substitute late in the second half to soak in the applause of the adoring crowd at the Emirates.

Meanwhile kit man Vit Akers - who joined the club back in 1987 and founded the Arsenal Ladies team - was also honoured before his departure from the club.

All in all, the win - playing sublime Wengerball no less - was a fitting tribute to Wenger and the legacy he will leave behind.

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Edited by Arvind Sriram