Arsenal took on Burnley in the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday afternoon and despite the visitors’ good start to the game, it took the home side just 18 minutes to go 1-0 up. Some good work from Alexis Sanchez and Alex Iwobi, whose interchanging passes were fantasic throughout the game, the Chilean layed the ball on a plate for Chambers on the edge of the penalty area, who, without much backlift, curled the ball into the top corner with the outside of his boot.
It didn’t take Burnley long to equalise, however, as the Gunners’ failure to clear the ball saw a cross from the right-hand side meet Sam Vokes’ head, who jumped higher than Gabriel and put the ball beyond Ospina.
An impressive first half which was full of attacking threat ended 1-1, with the visitors proving no pushovers.
Less than 10 minutes into the second period and it was 2-1 to the Gunners, with some fantastic build-up play leading to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s cross finding a free Alexis in the box, who finished first time to restore the home side’s lead.
It was dominant from Arsenal for the opening stages of the second half and in 70th minute, Tomas Rosicky returned to action as a substitute for the impressive Alex Iwobi, alongside Mikel Arteta, who replaced Francis Coquelin, who looked back to his very best.
The game at the Emirates ended 2-1, with Alexis bagging the winner from an end-to-end game, extending Arsenal’s FA Cup winning run to 14 games.
David Ospina: 5/10
An untroubled afternoon for Ospina, who was never really called into action.
Could do little about Vokes’ header and will go straight back on the bench in place of Petr Cech on Tuesday.
Calum Chambers: 8/10
Scored a wonderful early goal to put the Gunners 1-0 up. His first time outside of the boot effort was unstoppable and the 20-year-old, operating back in the full-back position, was impressive throughout.
Solid performance from Chambers.
Gabriel: 6/10
Was troubled at times by Andre Gray and Sam Vokes, but kept his composure throughout and won the majority of the battles.
Put Gray off towards the end of the game in what could prove an important moment of the FA Cup journey.
Laurent Koscielny: 5/10
At times, looked troubled. He seems to have lost a touch of composure, which is what is usually so impressive about his play.
An early mistake led to Gray having a chance at goal and if he had scored, it could have been much worse for the Frenchman.
Grew into the game as it went on and calmed down his play.
Kieran Gibbs: 6.5/10
Impressive from Gibbs, who attacked really well but at times looked suspect defensively.
Made a weird slide tackle on Francis Coquelin which could be seen as an important moment in the Burnley goal.
Francis Coquelin: 7.5/10
Solid once again in midfield. Has been out injured since November but making his first start, looked solid.
Made a number of important tackles and added balance to the game.
Mohamed Elneny: 7/10
Looked good on his debut for Arsenal. Elneny didn’t look out of place but at times rushed his final ball, although it’s understandable on his debut.
Had a chance to score in the second half but curled high and wide.
Alex Iwobi: 7.5/10
Once again, Iwobi looked the most composed man in the Emirates Stadium.
He is so aware of everything around him and was heavily involved in the final third.
One to watch out for.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: 7/10
Lively throughout the 90 minutes and didn’t stop running for a single second.
His final ball looked more confident and he tracked back well as usual.
Alexis Sanchez: 9/10 (Man of the Match)
What a footballer.
Alexis picked up an assist and scored the winner for the Gunners in a fantastic return to the starting line-up.
He’s going to prove vital if he stays fit.
Olivier Giroud: 6.5/10
No real threat in the final third but his hold-up play was stunning.
Brought his teammates into the game, something not many strikers can do.
Substitutes:
Tomas Rosicky: N/A
Good to see the Czech back, who had just 20 minutes to play and therefore had no real impact as Arsenal saw out the game.