(Football news) Both teams are looking for payback for their respective losses from the previous weekend, when the Gunners’ winning run came to an end against Newcastle United and the Clarets set an unpleasant record in their 2-0 loss to Crystal Palace.
The Arsenal team saw Sevilla’s Nemanja Gudelj make three challenges in short succession without receiving a booking from the referee, who provided Bukayo Saka with minimal cover on the right wing. This incident raised concerns about officiating once more.
The England winger, who is always a target, defied more challenges and found Leandro Trossard for the first goal of Wednesday’s Champions League match. In the second half, he curled home a beautiful finish to put Arsenal on the verge of last-16 qualification, which they need only one more point to confirm.
While both Arteta and Arsenal had some choice words for the PGMOL after several questionable calls went against them, a dominant display in Europe was the perfect counterbalance to back-to-back domestic defeats for Arsenal, whose EFL Cup journey was brought to an end by West Ham United before Anthony Gordon of Newcastle survived three VAR checks to inflict the Gunners’ first top-flight loss of the season.
Although Arsenal had the opportunity to take the lead at St. James’ Park, they ended up in fourth place after 11 games, three points behind new leaders Manchester City. Nevertheless, the hosts go into the weekend having won their last three home games while keeping three clean sheets, which is encouraging given last year’s defensive shortcomings at the Emirates.
Additionally, Burnley will undoubtedly relish a weekend away from their cursed Turf Moor headquarters. Arsenal has won 32 of its last 37 home games against newly promoted teams, with five draws. The Gunners have yet to lose any of those games.
During Burnley’s match against Crystal Palace last weekend, legendary Eagles coach Roy Hodgson became the latest coach to outsmart his younger rival, writing a new chapter in Premier League history that Vincent Kompany will not likely look back on with much nostalgia.
Burnley was punished twice for losing the ball near their own goal: first, left-back Tyrick Mitchell found the penalty area to seal the win; second, Jeffrey Schlupp tapped home to make it six goals in a row for the Clarets, who were made to history as the first Premier League team to lose all six of their home games in a season.
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