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[Player Ratings] Arsenal 2-1 Burnley: Xhaka flops, Sanchez shines

By mac14 on January 22, 2017

Alexis Sanchez scored a last gasp penalty to secure 10-man Arsenal a dramatic 2-1 win over Burnley at the Emirates this afternoon.

We were in total control after Shkodran Mustafi headed us in front but Granit Xhaka showed his ill-discipline once again after getting himself sent off for a two-footed lunge. Francis Coquelin then almost cost us the three points by giving away a stupid penalty in the 92nd minute but Sanchez won it at the death with a penalty of his own to send us second in the table.

Here are my ratings:

Cech 6.5/10 | Made a couple of routine saves and got a hand to Gray’s penalty. Some good distribution too.

Gabriel 7/10 | Another solid outing at right-back. I think he’s proving to be a better full-back than centre-back!

Mustafi 7.5/10 | Should have won a penalty just minutes before giving us the lead wit a lovely header. Excellent in defence too.

Koscielny 7/10 | Solid and comfortable at the back. Didn’t really allow Burnley a sniff.

Monreal 7/10 | A fairly comfortable game but he could have done more when in some promising positions going forward.

Ramsey 6/10 | Lots of energy and willingness to get involved but stiff some way off his best.

Xhaka 4/10 | Sent off for a stupid lunge on Defour after giving the ball away. It was perhaps a little harsh but no need to fly in like that. MUST sort out his disciplinary problems as he’s becoming a liability.

Sanchez 8/10 | Showed ice runs through his veins with an audacious panenka penalty to win it in the 97th minute. A real danger all game and could have had a hat-trick on another day.

Ozil 7/10 | Lovely corner to assist Mustafi’s goal and kept things moving in the final third. Played some lovely balls.

Iwobi 6.5/10 | Some nice runs caused Burnley problems and he was a threat at times. Sacrificed after Xhaka’s red.

Giroud 6/10 | Not his best game. Not really involved as there were few crosses for him to work off.

Subs:

Coquelin 5/10 | On following Xhaka’s red to control the midfield but all he did was give away a stupid penalty that almost cost us two points.

Welbeck/Bellerin N/A – On too late

WATCH THE GOALS FROM THE GAME HERE

This was a VITAL three points as it would have been a devastating blow to drop points today. Now, we sit second and are the closest rivals to leaders Chelsea.