'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Burnley hosted Arsenal on the 25th matchday of the Premier League as the away side looked to close the gap to the top four after both Manchester United and Chelsea dropped points on Saturday.
In the first half of the game, Arsenal began really well and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed a glorious opportunity to give Arsenal the lead early on. After that, the home side grew into the game and ended the first half on top.
In the second period, Burnley dominated Arsenal and they created the better opportunities. Jay Rodriguez missed an open goal for the hosts after the Burnley strikers missed numerous opportunities. The match, in the end, ended 0-0 and this was Arsenal's fourth consecutive draw in the Premier League.
Here, we take a look at the four hits and flops from the game.
4. Flop - Alexandre Lacazette
Another game, another miserable performance from Arsenal's French striker Alexandre Lacazette. Until now, the 28-year-old has scored just three Premier League goals and to be very honest, his inclusion in the first XI is hardly justified.
Against Burnley, he wasn't much of a threat; his passing accuracy was 72%, he had two shots on goal, with none of them on target. He has been playing as a striker for Arsenal and due to that, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has had to fill in at left-wing but if performances like this continue, the French striker should either be dropped or shifted wide because he's evidently out of touch.
3. Hit - Dwight McNeil
The 21-year-old left midfielder put in an absolute shift on Sunday against Arsenal and he was, quite clearly, the best attacker on the pitch. His crossing and passing on the day was absolute quality and it's surprising how he didn't get himself an assist.
Attacking wise, McNeil had a passing accuracy of 80%, he had three shots on goal and played five key passes, which was the most on the day by anyone. Defensively, the Englishman put in two tackles and made three clearances.
All in all, it was another impressive performance from someone who has been arguably Burnley's most consistent performer this season.
2. Flop - Mesut Ozil
Mesut Ozil is another player who has underperformed for a while now and against Burnley, he was anonymous after the first 15 minutes. At the start of the game, he found himself in promising attacking positions but after that, it was as if he wasn't in the game.
The German had a passing accuracy of 87%, played two key passes, had one shot on goal, made one tackle and two interceptions. He was rightfully substituted in the 62nd minute and it was Joe Willock who replaced him.
Willock is banging on the door for Arsenal and if these poor performances continue from Ozil, it wouldn't be long before Willock replaces him.
1. Hit - James Tarkowski
Burnley's Man of the Match and quite clearly the best player on the pitch was James Tarkowski. In the first half, he made a goal-saving tackle as he stopped Alexandre Lacazette from giving Arsenal the lead being two or three yards out.
The Englishman had a passing accuracy of 75% on the day, along with that, he won one tackle, made two interceptions and seven clearances. He also blocked one shot and won six aerial duels, which was the joint-most on the day.
Burnley have kept many clean sheets this season and that is because of Tarkowski's brilliant performances and if he keeps this up, who knows, he could find himself being picked for England ahead of the upcoming UEFA Euros.
