Arsenal made it back-to-back wins at the start of the 2019-20 Premier League campaign courtesy of a 2-1 success over Burnley at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Ashley Barnes cancelled out an early Alexandre Lacazette effort to leave the two teams level at the break. However, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang came up with a 64th-minute winner for the capital outfit.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live coverage below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Premier League clash between Arsenal and Burnley from the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal opened their Premier League season with a 1-0 victory at Newcastle United last weekend. Burnley, meanwhile, recorded a 3-0 win over Southampton at Turf Moor to also make a strong start. Stay tuned for live updates!
TEAMS!
ARSENAL: Leno; Maitland-Niles, Luiz, Sokratis, Monreal; Guendouzi, Ceballos; Aubameyang, Willock, Nelson; Lacazette
BURNLEY: Pope; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Pieters; Gudmundsson, Cork, Westwood, McNeil; Wood, Barnes
Arsenal boss Unai Emery has made three changes to the team that started against Newcastle, with David Luiz, Dani Ceballos and Alexandre Lacazette coming in for Calum Chambers, Granit Xhaka and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. There is still no spot in the XI for record signing Nicolas Pepe, though, as Joe Willock and Reiss Nelson both keep their positions in the final third. Granit Xhaka misses out due to a bruised lower back while Mesut Ozil is unwell.
As for Burnley, no real surprise that head coach Sean Dyche has selected the same XI that started against Southampton last weekend. Ashley Barnes netted twice against the Saints and continues in attack, meaning that summer signing Jay Rodriguez is once again on the bench. It will be a 4-4-2 for the Clarets, meaning that there is a huge contrast in systems this afternoon.
Here we go then - the scene is set at the Emirates Stadium. Can Burnley upset the form book and pick up another three points this afternoon? Stay tuned to find out!
KICKOFF: Burnley kick things off at the Emirates Stadium...
... as expected, Arsenal have taken control of the possession in the early exchanges, with Burnley dropping a little bit deeper. You do get the feeling that the first goal here - if there indeed is one - will be crucial. There is a lot of expectancy in the home crowd.
Sniff of a half-chance for Burnley as Barnes delivers a dangerous cross towards Wood, but Maitland-Niles is on hand to make the headed clearance. Pieters then strikes harmlessly wide of the post from distance as the Clarets show their teeth early on.
Very interesting to see both Willock and Nelson in the Arsenal XI for a second successive match. Both have been tidy in the first few minutes here, although the Gunners are yet to create any chances. Burnley will be pleased with their opening six minutes of action.
SHOT! Ceballos strikes one from distance but it was always wide of the post.
Lacazette almost manages to gather a clever pass from Nelson as Arsenal attack down the left. However, Pope is quick off his line and manages to collect the loose ball.
Luiz plays a wonderful pass behind the Burnley defence towards Aubameyang, but Burnley manage to get players back to make the clearance. Super ball from Luiz.
Lowton almost turns an Arsenal corner into the back of his own net - the ball, though, just drops wide of the far post. Good pressure from Arsenal with 11 minutes on the clock.
SAVE! Wonderful save from Pope to keep out a close-range Lacazette header!
GOAL! ARSENAL 1-0 BURNLEY (LACAZETTE)
GOAL! Lacazette is not to be denied this time! Arsenal make the breakthrough in the 13th minute as Lacazette manages to free himself inside the Burnley box before finding the back of the net through Pope's legs. Not sure about the defending there, though.
Burnley need to be really, really careful here as Arsenal continue to force the issue. The last time that the Clarets need is to concede a second at this stage of the contest.
Burnley are providing a threat with Barnes and Wood both causing problems, but Arsenal are quick to break when the ball is turned over. Can the visitors find a leveller here...
... Leno makes a terrific save to keep out a close-range effort from Barnes. That said, the offside flag was raised. Still a really smart stop from the German there, though.
Burnley force another corner with Tarkowski causing problems inside the Arsenal box. However, the Gunners manage to deal with the danger once again - just about.
Luiz continues to impress for Arsenal at the back, while Maitland-Niles has just started to get involved down the right with a couple of crosses causing problems to the away side.
Nelson and Luiz combine inside the Burnley box as the Gunners look to work more space, but Burnley manage to clear their lines through Westwood. Still 1-0 to the home side here.
Ceballos has been really good for Arsenal in the middle of the park - taking the ball under pressure and bringing in teammates. That said, there is not a lot of pressure on the Real Madrid midfielder with both Westwood and Cork having to drop slightly deeper here.
Monreal breaks into a dangerous position for Arsenal, only for the offside flag to go up. Burnley are doing their best to force the issue but they have to be so, so careful. Another goal for the Gunners before the interval would be massive in the context of this game.
Luiz blocks an attempt from McNeil as Burnley threaten once again. Dyche will be pleased with the response from his side, who are causing issues in the final third.
No real chances for Arsenal to double their lead here, with Burnley looking the more dangerous in the final third of the field. You do get the feeling that there might be something in this for the Clarets from a set piece or cross into the likes of Wood.
Gudmundsson delivers another dangerous corner into the Arsenal box and Leno does not took sure despite coming to punch the ball. The Gunners then break down the other end and Ceballos shows some wonderful feet but the move ultimately comes to an end.
SAVE! Smart save from Pope to keep out a strike from Nelson as Arsenal finally create another chance of real note. The ball popped out of Pope's hands but Mee made the clearance.
McNeil delivers a dangerous free kick into the Arsenal box - Monreal, though, is on hand to make the clearance. It is a very even game as we approach the half-time break.
YELLOW CARD! Aubameyang (Arsenal) is booked for being too close to Burnley's free kick.
Leno jumps on a header from Barnes as Burnley threaten again, but the offside flag had once again been raised. The visitors have had so many free kicks and corners here.
In all honesty Burnley should not have allowed Lacazette to score in the 13th minute, and the visitors have arguably been the better side since then - plenty of good moments.
SAVE! Brilliant save from Pope to keep out a low strike from Guendouzi. The midfielder went for power, only for Pope to throw out a leg to prevent the ball from going past him.
GOAL! ARSENAL 1-1 BURNLEY (BARNES)
GOAL! Leveller! Burnley equalise in the 43rd minute as a strike from McNeil breaks for Barnes inside the Arsenal box and the attacker pokes the ball into the back of the net!
The VAR check is over and the away side have an equaliser - Barnes scoring his third Premier League goal of the campaign. Not great for Arsenal before the interval.
DISALLOWED GOAL! Nelson finds the back of the net with a thumping finish. It will not count, though, with the linesman raising his flag. Very close but the linesman was sure there.
HALF TIME: ARSENAL 1-1 BURNLEY
So there we have it - the referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 1-1. Lacazette sent Arsenal ahead in the 13th minute with a brilliant goal, but Burnley were level in the closing stages of the first half courtesy of a finish from Barnes.
STATISTICS! Arsenal had 66% possession in the first period, while they hit the target with four of their eight attempts. Burnley actually managed 11 attempts in the opening 45 minutes, though, with four of those on target. Just the one yellow card to report with Aubameyang in the book for standing too close to a Burnley free kick - referee Mike Dean could not get his card out quick enough!
BENCH WATCH! Arsenal's injury list is fairly extensive at the moment, but head coach Emery has some very dangerous attackers on the bench - notably new signing Pepe, while Mkhitaryan and Martinelli are also available for the home side this afternoon.
As for Burnley, Dyche's attacking options are not exactly extensive. Indeed, there are three defenders on their bench this afternoon, but Rodriguez, Lennon and Hendrick are three players capable of making a difference in the final third of the field here.
KICKOFF: Arsenal resume the action at the Emirates Stadium...
... ARSENAL SUB! Pepe replaces Nelson at the interval.
Pepe, Aubameyang and Lacazette are now all on the field for Arsenal, which is a daunting thought for the Burnley defence. That said, Barnes has been terrific this afternoon and will fancy his chances of making it four Premier League goals for the campaign.
You do get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - will be huge. Already some signs of time wasting from Burnley here and Emery is not best pleased!
CLOSE! Aubameyang attempts to pick out the top corner from distance after a smart move involving a number of players, but the ball just misses the Burnley goal!
SHOT! McNeil fires into the stands as Burnley threaten on the break once again. The Clarets are causing all sorts of problems with this fluid 4-4-2 formation here.
Pepe has certainly raised the excitement inside the stadium and Arsenal are looking dangerous in the final third. That said, Burnley are also causing plenty of problems.
Arsenal are putting a lot of pressure on the Burnley defence at the moment and it remains to be seen whether the Clarets can ride it out. Barnes and Wood are still staying up front as a two, meaning that there is space for the home side in midfield here.
Little over 30 minutes of the second period remaining. Arsenal are on the front foot and have just had another corner cleared by Tarkowski, who has been impressive here.
SHOT! Maitland-Niles sends the ball over the Burnley crossbar from distance.
Just a little bit of movement on the Burnley bench with Jay Rodriguez potentially entering the field. Surely Wood and Barnes will stay on? Unless there is an injury of course.
SAVE! Really smart save from Pope to keep out an attempt from Aubameyang, who had finally managed to break behind the Burnley defence. Excellent work from Pope there.
BURNLEY SUB! Jay Rodriguez has replaced Wood in Burnley's first change.
CLOSE! Westwood heads over the Arsenal crossbar from close range as Burnley continue to show their teeth in this game. This is a very, very open game of football.
SAVE! Another smart save from Pope to keep out a curler from Ceballos.
GOAL! ARSENAL 2-1 BURNLEY (AUBAMEYANG)
GOAL! Arsenal regain the lead in the 64th minute as Aubameyang drives to the edge of the Burnley box before finding the bottom corner with a brilliant finish. It is an excellent goal from the attacker, who scored the winner against Newcastle last weekend.
Ceballos continues to impress for Arsenal as the Spaniard again wins the ball in the middle of the park before drawing a foul. The home fans are in good voice here.
Burnley are far from out of this match and Dyche's side have just won another corner, which Leno managed to clear. Little over 20 minutes of the second period remaining here.
Burnley continue to threaten with a couple of deliveries into the Arsenal box, but the Gunners survive without conceding a second. Changes from both teams to come.
ARSENAL SUB! Kolasinac replaces Lacazette for the home side.
BURNLEY SUB! Lennon replaces Gudmundsson for the away team.
Still more than 15 minutes of the second period remaining here, and there are bound to be some nervy moments for Arsenal late on with Burnley's threat from set pieces.
Arsenal are heading to the top of the Premier League table as it stands. Well, that would also be the case with a point. It is very early but that would sit well with the fans!
SAVE! Comfortable save for Pope to keep out a strike from Pepe, who will take time to settle into the Premier League. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining here.
Kolasinac breaks into a dangerous position for Arsenal but the offside flag is raised. Not too much to report in terms of chances as we head into the final 10 minutes here.
McNeil stands over a free kick outside the Arsenal box and the delivery is towards Lennon, but Leno is on hand to make the claim. Bit of a waste there.
Arsenal will soon make their third and final change of the match with Torreira receiving his instructions. It would not be a surprise to see Willock leave the field.
ARSENAL SUB! Ceballos is the player who leaves the field for Torreira.
Not an awful lot happening at the moment in terms of chances with Arsenal fairly comfortable. However, there is still a solid five minutes of football to play here.
The clock ticks on with Arsenal winning another corner, which is cleared. Burnley are struggling to see the ball at the moment, which is a problem at this stage of the game.
Torreira is back on his feet after clashing with his own goalkeeper. Arsenal are back on the attack moments later and the ball is safely inside Burnley's half of the field here.
SAVE! Smart save from Pope to keep out a strike from Torreira as Arsenal look to score a third before the final whistle. Pope has had a fine game for the visitors here.
We are into the second of four minutes of added time.
YELLOW CARD! Luiz (Arsenal) is booked for a foul on Barnes.
CHANCE! Opportunity for Arsenal to score a third as Pepe leads a break before finding Aubameyang, but the striker just loses control at the vital moment!
Luiz heads behind for another corner as Burnley force the issue late on.
SHOT! Pope goes up for a corner in what could be Burnley's final chance, but Rodriguez fires over and that should be that for this match. Arsenal look to have won it.
YELLOW CARD! Barnes (Burnley) is booked following a clash with Kolasinac.
FULL TIME: ARSENAL 2-1 BURNLEY
So there we have it - the referee brings the second period to a close with Arsenal running out 2-1 winners over Burnley at the Emirates Stadium to move to the top of the table.
That is just about it from me this afternoon, but I shall leave you with the match report from the clash in London. Be sure to join us again very soon. Until next time!
