Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended1545489769

Arsenal vs Burnley: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's double gives Gunners three points despite late fightback

Re-live the action from the Emirates Stadium

Harry Latham-Coyle
Saturday 22 December 2018 14:45 GMT
Comments
Arsenal: A look back at 2018

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice to earn Arsenal victory over Burnley as Mesut Ozil returned to the side to captain the Gunners.

After losing their last two following a 22-game unbeaten streak, Unai Emery's side got back to winning ways as Aubameyang moved clear of Mohamed Salah as the Premier League's leading goalscorer.

His 11th and 12th strikes of the season were just enough to seal a 3-1 victory over Sean Dyche's battling Burnley, who got back into the game through Ashley Barnes and rattled their hosts at times before substitute Alex Iwobi scored late on.

Re-live action in the blog below:

1545478133

Good afternoon everyone.

A day jammed full of festive football lays ahead. Eight games to fill you up on the final Saturday before Christmas, including Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first game as interim manager of Manchester United.

But we start at the Emirates Stadium, for a lunchtime clash between Arsenal and Burnley - a game which has become rather important for the hosts...

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 11:28
1545478284

Indeed, Unai Emery's men have been brought back down to earth after their long unbeaten run came to an end last weekend. First, Southampton shocked them in the league and then Arsenal tumbled out of the Carabao Cup in tame fashion, a 2-0 defeat to their closest rivals here on Wednesday. 

So what team has Unai Emery picked as his side look to get back to winning ways?

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 11:31
1545478391

TEAM NEWS

The big story from Emery's starting lineup is the return of Mesut Ozil, left out in midweek for "tactical reasons."

Arsenal remain without a slew of defensive options, but the return of Sead Kolasinac is a welcome one. Mohamed Elneny also earns a start in midfield.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 11:33
1545478741

TEAM NEWS

Sean Dacha's Burnley battled hard against Tottenham last week and looked to have earned at least a point. But Christian Erisksen's late winner meant Dyche's side left Wembley empty-handed, and Southampton's win against Arsenal leave Burnley in the bottom three.

Nevertheless, Dyche has kept faith in the three-at-the-back formation introduced last time out, making two changes: Aaron Lennon has had a knee operation this week after suffering injury against his former club, while Robbie Brady also misses out with a knock. Chris Wood and Jeff Hendrick come in.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 11:39
1545479039

So a return for Mesut Ozil, though doubts remain over his role in Unai Emery's Arsenal. His exclusion in the week was another signal that his future is not entirely secure at the club.

However, as Ed Malyon contemplates, there may not be a natural fit for Ozil elsewhere in Europe: 

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 11:43
1545479396

Walk like an Egyptian...

Mohamed Elneny makes his first Premier League appearance of the season for Arsenal.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 11:49
1545479946

Ali glee...

A potential debutant on the Burnley bench today in young left-back Ali Koiki, who impressed as a trialist at Grimsby in the summer. He was spotted by Burnley playing in Croydon after a stint in Crystal Palace's academy. A debut at the Emirates today would be a rather nice Christmas present for the teenager.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 11:59
1545480098
Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 12:01
1545480702

A festive flair to some of the supporters' sartorial choices today. Still, it is Arsenal red and white...

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 12:11
1545481333

​Ten minutes until kick off at the Emirates Stadium.

Will Arsenal rebound with a win, or can Burnley find a huge away victory?

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 12:22

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in