Arsenal needed a late and rather dodgy goal to finally break down Burnley at Turf Moor on Sunday, with captain Laurent Koscielny nudging the ball over the line with his elbow from an offside position.
The game also saw summer-signing Shkodran Mustafi once again produce a fine, muscular display at the back as well as getting rather intimate with referee Craig Pawson.
Incensed by the award of a foul against him for holding Sam Vokes, Mustafi demonstrated the position he found himself in with the Bunrley striker by literally backing in to the referee…
Video: Shkodran Mustafi showing the referee how he was fouled, although it was given in Burnley’s favour. #afc pic.twitter.com/gwLGCycjeE
— afcvideo (@afcvideo) October 2, 2016
It looked as though Burnley would hold out for a precious point against the Gunners when, in the last minute of injury-time.
However, at the death, Alexis Sanchez chipped the ball across the Burnley box was headed on by Theo Walcott, with Alex Oxlade=Chamberlain’s close-range shot ending up in the back of the Clarets’ goal via an offside Koscielny’s elbow…
@Gidi_Traffic VIDEO: Bundled in, right at the very last second by Laurent Koscielny. It ends Burnley 0 – 1 Arsenal pic.twitter.com/1AbHtpPRym
— Eniola Opeyemi (@eniola_opeyemi) October 2, 2016
The goal was harsh on Sean Dyche’s side who worked hard (as usual) throughout and even hit the woodwork themselves via Michael Keane.
However, it was an arguably deserved win for Arsenal, and one which strengthens their title credentials, as well as being a fine way to celebrate Arsene Wenger’s 20-year anniversary with the club.