Santi Ceballos
by Omkar Rege
A victory over Burnley has sort of become like the gift that keeps on giving to all gooners as Arsenal yet again got one up over Sean Dyche and his team of bullies on Saturday afternoon. Goals from Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang who has a 100 percent scoring record against Burnley ensured that Arsenal started their new campaign with a second straight league win.
It was a fast start from the gunners as they looked sharp and ready for a very physical Burnley side, which is not to slag off the clarets but the fact is that despite the wins over Burnley in recents years, Arsenal have never really triumphed the physical battle against them.
The big change this time around was Arsenal's new loanee Dani Ceballos who put a major shift in their midfield and beat the Burnley press quite effectively by his trickery and finesse on the ball.
He looked really motivated and always seemed to be asking for the ball and also took the mantle of taking set pieces throughout the 80 minutes that he played.
In just the 13th minute he picked out Lacazette by a delightful corner kick, who took a couple of sumptuous touches fending off two defenders in the process and shot the ball through Pope's legs resulting in Arsenal's first goal of the game.
From then on it went a bit stale from Arsenal's end as Burnley didn't really let the gunners slip into second gear, their continual long balls derailed Arsenal's attempts to play football. That frustrated Arsenal and eventually made them lose focus for a moment resulting in a swift counter attack from Burnley who equalized through Ashley Barnes just a couple minutes before the end of the first half.
Second half, the clarets dropped deeper and continued to annoy Arsenal as they kept pushing further forward but with no luck. You could feel that the crowd was losing its patience. Just as we thought that Arsenal's intensity was about to drop, Aubameyang produce a moment of magic in the 63rd minute from a Ceballos pass who hadn't lost his cool and kept pressing.
After that it was smooth sailing for Arsenal as despite Burnley's advances, the gunners looked fairly comfortable defending and driving forward during break in play, even orchestrating a 2 on 1 in the 92nd minute with Pepe and Aubameyang darting ahead with speed.
However, that transition didn't come to fruition but Arsenal won the game 2-1 with a solid start to their season.
Some thoughts on the players,
PIERRE EMERICK AUBAMEYANG
Typical Auba performance, had a quite first half but once he gets a sniff, he is most certain to score. Another beautiful goal from him at Burnley's expense, ran at the defence and took a shot from his favored right foot into the bottom left corner. His work rate off the ball had been called into question this time last year but he has put those questions to bed with his exploits in the past 6-8 months. Exceptional.
ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE
First game in a while and it seemed like he never left. Was at the helm of most good things in the first half and scored a brilliant goal, reminiscent to the one he scored against Chelsea in the league back in January. Slightly faded away in the second half but overall was good and looks fit and ready for more.
REISS NELSON
Played only 45 minutes but did well to press and carry the ball forward. His decision making in the final third needs some work but was decent overall. And he did finish a pretty good move from Arsenal from inside the box from his left foot albeit Monreal being just offside on that one.
DANI CEBALLOS
'Ooo Santi Cazorla o...' That was the only thought that came to mind while watching him. His skills and technique are so similar to Cazorla. Finally Arsenal have got a player who could do what Santi did all those years ago. Spoke a lot about Arsenal's lack of dynamism and work rate in midfield in one of my previous articles. It seems like Ceballos could fulfill all that and more. Man of the match performance from him. Phenomenal.
MATTEO GUENDOUZI
Are his performances even a surprise anymore? Still only 20 yet played his 50th game for Arsenal yesterday. Ran the midfield and like Ceballos was a workhorse. His attitude and thirst for more is very admirable. A charismatic gem for years to come.
JOEL WILLOCK
Has taken big strides from pre season till now and is only going to get better and better. Splendid performance from him throughout the match. Has got bags of potential.
NACHO MONREAL
Its quite right when they say that age is just a number. Monreal's fitness levels are unreal and he looked really solid yesterday. Some of his cute passes and overlapping runs were remarkable and could put to shame any young full back. If he keeps it up Tierney will definitely have some competition when he returns from injury.
AINSLEY MAITLAND-NILES
Remember last season when we thought that full back would never be his position? Well I know its only been two games but Ainsley looks to be really relishing his role as a right back and is seemingly making that position his own. Will be a task for Hector to get into the starting 11 on a weekly basis when he gets back.
SOKRATIS
Well Papa did what Papa does best, was composed and assured at the back and another no nonsense act from him. No yellows in his first 2 league games this season, that's unusual. Maybe saving them up for Liverpool and Spurs.
DAVID LUIZ
First ever game for Arsenal and he didn't disappoint. Was up for the physical battle with Barnes and Wood and made some terrific headed clearances. Some of his long balls were good as well. Looks like a good signing.
LENO
Secured and dependable as always, Leno had a good game. Wasn't really troubled much by Burnley but his aerial clearances were impressive.
SUBS:
NICOLAS PEPE
The one that every Arsenal fan wanted to start the game. Got some good 45 minutes under his belt, had a pretty quite second half but some of his tricks and touches were as smooth as they get. Had a great moment when he ran through Ben Mee with a filthy nutmeg. His time to really shine seems to be getting closer. He's a very silky player.
KOLASINAC and TORREIRA
Both of them were brought on to steady the ship in the final minutes of the game and did so quite well.
All the more it was a good game for Arsenal with Liverpool and Tottenham on the horizon. Except Tierney all of their new signings have got a good run in before those fixtures and the gunners look well set to go.
A victory over Burnley has sort of become like the gift that keeps on giving to all gooners as Arsenal yet again got one up over Sean Dyche and his team of bullies on Saturday afternoon. Goals from Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang who has a 100 percent scoring record against Burnley ensured that Arsenal started their new campaign with a second straight league win.
It was a fast start from the gunners as they looked sharp and ready for a very physical Burnley side, which is not to slag off the clarets but the fact is that despite the wins over Burnley in recents years, Arsenal have never really triumphed the physical battle against them.
The big change this time around was Arsenal's new loanee Dani Ceballos who put a major shift in their midfield and beat the Burnley press quite effectively by his trickery and finesse on the ball.
He looked really motivated and always seemed to be asking for the ball and also took the mantle of taking set pieces throughout the 80 minutes that he played.
In just the 13th minute he picked out Lacazette by a delightful corner kick, who took a couple of sumptuous touches fending off two defenders in the process and shot the ball through Pope's legs resulting in Arsenal's first goal of the game.
From then on it went a bit stale from Arsenal's end as Burnley didn't really let the gunners slip into second gear, their continual long balls derailed Arsenal's attempts to play football. That frustrated Arsenal and eventually made them lose focus for a moment resulting in a swift counter attack from Burnley who equalized through Ashley Barnes just a couple minutes before the end of the first half.
Second half, the clarets dropped deeper and continued to annoy Arsenal as they kept pushing further forward but with no luck. You could feel that the crowd was losing its patience. Just as we thought that Arsenal's intensity was about to drop, Aubameyang produce a moment of magic in the 63rd minute from a Ceballos pass who hadn't lost his cool and kept pressing.
After that it was smooth sailing for Arsenal as despite Burnley's advances, the gunners looked fairly comfortable defending and driving forward during break in play, even orchestrating a 2 on 1 in the 92nd minute with Pepe and Aubameyang darting ahead with speed.
However, that transition didn't come to fruition but Arsenal won the game 2-1 with a solid start to their season.
Some thoughts on the players,
PIERRE EMERICK AUBAMEYANG
Typical Auba performance, had a quite first half but once he gets a sniff, he is most certain to score. Another beautiful goal from him at Burnley's expense, ran at the defence and took a shot from his favored right foot into the bottom left corner. His work rate off the ball had been called into question this time last year but he has put those questions to bed with his exploits in the past 6-8 months. Exceptional.
ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE
First game in a while and it seemed like he never left. Was at the helm of most good things in the first half and scored a brilliant goal, reminiscent to the one he scored against Chelsea in the league back in January. Slightly faded away in the second half but overall was good and looks fit and ready for more.
REISS NELSON
Played only 45 minutes but did well to press and carry the ball forward. His decision making in the final third needs some work but was decent overall. And he did finish a pretty good move from Arsenal from inside the box from his left foot albeit Monreal being just offside on that one.
DANI CEBALLOS
'Ooo Santi Cazorla o...' That was the only thought that came to mind while watching him. His skills and technique are so similar to Cazorla. Finally Arsenal have got a player who could do what Santi did all those years ago. Spoke a lot about Arsenal's lack of dynamism and work rate in midfield in one of my previous articles. It seems like Ceballos could fulfill all that and more. Man of the match performance from him. Phenomenal.
MATTEO GUENDOUZI
Are his performances even a surprise anymore? Still only 20 yet played his 50th game for Arsenal yesterday. Ran the midfield and like Ceballos was a workhorse. His attitude and thirst for more is very admirable. A charismatic gem for years to come.
JOEL WILLOCK
Has taken big strides from pre season till now and is only going to get better and better. Splendid performance from him throughout the match. Has got bags of potential.
NACHO MONREAL
Its quite right when they say that age is just a number. Monreal's fitness levels are unreal and he looked really solid yesterday. Some of his cute passes and overlapping runs were remarkable and could put to shame any young full back. If he keeps it up Tierney will definitely have some competition when he returns from injury.
AINSLEY MAITLAND-NILES
Remember last season when we thought that full back would never be his position? Well I know its only been two games but Ainsley looks to be really relishing his role as a right back and is seemingly making that position his own. Will be a task for Hector to get into the starting 11 on a weekly basis when he gets back.
SOKRATIS
Well Papa did what Papa does best, was composed and assured at the back and another no nonsense act from him. No yellows in his first 2 league games this season, that's unusual. Maybe saving them up for Liverpool and Spurs.
DAVID LUIZ
First ever game for Arsenal and he didn't disappoint. Was up for the physical battle with Barnes and Wood and made some terrific headed clearances. Some of his long balls were good as well. Looks like a good signing.
LENO
Secured and dependable as always, Leno had a good game. Wasn't really troubled much by Burnley but his aerial clearances were impressive.
SUBS:
NICOLAS PEPE
The one that every Arsenal fan wanted to start the game. Got some good 45 minutes under his belt, had a pretty quite second half but some of his tricks and touches were as smooth as they get. Had a great moment when he ran through Ben Mee with a filthy nutmeg. His time to really shine seems to be getting closer. He's a very silky player.
KOLASINAC and TORREIRA
Both of them were brought on to steady the ship in the final minutes of the game and did so quite well.
All the more it was a good game for Arsenal with Liverpool and Tottenham on the horizon. Except Tierney all of their new signings have got a good run in before those fixtures and the gunners look well set to go.
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