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Burnley hosted Arsenal in what looked like a tricky tie and both teams in need of the 3 points.
Arsenal registered their intent as early as they can when Aubamayang's dazzling feet with a couple of stepovers managed to squeeze a shot in and it trickled over the lines after the goalkeeper failed to keep it out fully. This individual effort occurred in the 6th minute to calm the nerves and allow Arsenal to be in charge of the game, thanks to Willian's thoughtful pass to the captain. It was good for his confidence as usual when he cuts in and buried his effort.
Nothing came much out of the match as both teams had half-chances in the game and nothing was much of a threat. It looked destined that they were both out of ideas and might end the first half with the solitary goal scored by Arsenal but then the unexpected happened.
This season has been full of surprises, unexpected losses, draws, wins and even high profile mistakes to mention a few, not to even mention the mistakes from VAR, the inconsistencies of it and that of the referees as well. It has been a season to remember and Xhaka added to the list of those high profile mistake in the 39th minute when a back pass to the goalkeeper was given back to him. He tried to connect with David Luiz to space out and relieve the pressure but his attempted pass across the box to Luiz came off Chris Wood, whose body simply diverted the ball into the back of the net to level matters, 1-1. It was shocking, to say the least, and he would be kicking himself at half time.
Pieters attempted a volley shot which Leno expertly pushed over the crossbar. Burnley could have gotten ahead with that effort if not for the alertness and powerful hand of Leno. Burnley doing everything just to get ahead of Arsenal at this point.
Woods received a lovely low pass into the box again and he was one on one with the goalkeeper. He hit his effort immediately he received the pass but Leno was on hand to deny him again, much to his surprise. The ball had power but lacked placement but that is not to take away from the timely intervention of Leno. It was a brilliant save.
Pepe also shocking missed from 7 yards out when Saka found Tierney and his low drive into the box found Pepe who miskicked his effort with the goal staring at him in the face. Not long after, Arsenal thought they have gotten their lifeline when Saka played another ball into the box and this time Pepe hit it well but the effort was blocked by the shoulder of Pieters. At first, the referee thought it was handball and a penalty so Pieters was given a red card while the penalty was given but VAR came into play which made the referee rescind his red card and cancelled the penalty as well, much to the disappointment of Arsenal who thought they would nick the game right at the death.
Arsenal had series of late charges to win the game with some goalmouth scrambles to Lacazette trying to nick it in and Ceballos' shot hitting the upright before Aubamayang's inability to get the ball over the line. Arsenal would feel aggrieved not to have won it and Burnley had every right to feel the same way too. 2 points dropped for Arsenal and 1 point gained for Burnley.
Arsenal would need a miracle to qualify for a top 4 finish. They languish in 10th place with Aston Villa ahead of them in 9th with 2 points advantage and still, Villa has a game in hand. Burnley stays in the 15th position and 7 points away from the drop zone. If they keep squeezing points out like this, they just might beat the drop.
Thank you for your time.
My pen doesn't bleed, it speaks, with speed and ease.
Still me,
My tongue is like the pen of a ready writer.
Olawalium; (Love's chemical content, in human form). Take a dose today: doctor's order.