8 things we learned as Arsenal ground out a win over Burnley

11 April 2015 20:31

Arsenal kept the pressure on Premier League leaders Chelsea (not actual pressure – there is no pressure on Chelsea) with a 1-0 win over Burnley.

It wasn’t pretty, but it was effective as the Gunners racked up their eighth straight win. Here’s what we learned along the way…

1. Aaron Ramsey is back

Aaron Ramsey celebrates scoring for Arsenal
(Dave Howarth/PA)

Ramsey got the early goal from the Gunners on his 150th league start. This season may not have hit the heights the last one did, but he is in a purple patch right now – for club and country.

2. Francis Coquelin has made himself indispensable

For a guy who was on loan at Charlton a few months ago, Coquelin has become remarkably important to the Arsenal cause. He’s a calming influence in midfield, a shield for the defence and a firefighter all rolled into one. And there’s a new term to describe exactly what he does…

3. Being a football fan is confusing

Or maybe that should say ‘being a bishop is confusing’. Bishop of Burnley Philip North, who is supposedly an Arsenal fan, was picked out by the TV cameras wearing a Burnley scarf. We’re not sure that’s going to please anyone much.

4. David Ospina is either underrated or overrated

We can’t make up our minds up about the man keeping Wojciech Szczesny out of the team – and neither can the fans. On the one hand he’s been very solid and there’s something very likeable about him.

On the other hand, there’s something unconvincing about him that makes it feel like he isn’t a long-term solution for Arsenal.

The jury is out.

5. Burnley fans don’t like Mike Dean

Referee Mike Dean
(Rui Vieira/AP)

Some Burnley players, not mentioning any names, took a predictably physical approach to the encounter. Some Arsenal players, not mentioning any names, took a predictably theatrical approach to the encounter. This led to a difficult evening for referee Mike Dean.

The Burnley fans weren’t impressed.

6. Sean Dyche has a sense of humour

Burnley manager Sean Dyche laughs at a decision from referee Mike Dean
(Dave Howarth/PA)

This was his reaction to one decision from Dean just before half-time.

7. Ben Mee is fun to watch

Not because of his football, necessarily – more so you can make jokes about his name.

8. But Burnley aren’t

Source: SNAPPA