Arsenal set pieces bring such a degree of organised chaos and unconventional thinking they could be nominated for the Turner Prize. Instead they are just making them favourites for the Premier League crown after extending their lead at the top. The Gunners have reached such a level of expertise, they even scored from a Burnley long throw.
Headers from Viktor Gyökeres and Declan Rice were the difference at Turf Moor on what was a straightforward afternoon in Lancashire for Arsenal. The hosts failed to have a shot on target as Arsenal secured a fifth straight Premier League victory, the past four without conceding.
“Set piece again olé olé,” was the chant ringing out from the away end after a tough start against a high-energy Burnley side. Rice swung the corner to the back post from where Gabriel Magalhães knocked the ball back to the centre of the goal and Gyökeres nodded in from a yard for Arsenal’s 12th set-piece goal in the Premier League this season.
From this point, Arsenal dominated possession. Every corner award resulted in a roar from the travelling fans and a tense moment of silence from the majority at Turf Moor, worried about what would come. Great efforts were made to keep Martin Dubravka from getting off his line to claim, and he did well punch one Rice inswinger away from under the bar as the pressure increased.
