Viktor Gyokeres has finally silenced his critics, ending a barren spell in front of goal as Arsenal dismantled Burnley 2-0 at Turf Moor on Saturday, stretching their lead at the top of the Premier League table to seven points.
The Swedish striker, who had endured a frustrating five-match goal drought in the league, rediscovered his scoring touch with a predatory header in the 14th minute, whilst Declan Rice doubled the advantage before the interval to seal a comfortable victory for the Gunners.
Gyokeres’s goal represented a significant psychological breakthrough for the 26-year-old, who had managed just two goals in nine matches across all competitions prior to Saturday’s encounter. The strike was his first league goal since 13th September and his sixth overall since his summer switch from Sporting Lisbon.
The match showcased Arsenal’s continued dominance in English football’s top flight, with the victory marking their ninth consecutive triumph across all competitions—a run that has firmly established them as the team to beat this season. Mikel Arteta’s side have now won eight of their 10 league fixtures, whilst their defence has remained impenetrable for seven successive matches.
Arsenal’s superiority was evident throughout, with Burnley failing to register a single shot in the opening hour. The Gunners’ attacking blueprint was once again underpinned by their lethal set-piece execution, which has earned them the moniker “Set-Piece FC” amongst supporters and pundits alike this term.
The opening goal arrived from a familiar source, as Rice delivered an in-swinging corner that found Gabriel Magalhaes, who intelligently nodded the ball back for Gyokeres to apply a clinical close-range finish. The goal represented Arsenal’s eighth corner conversion in just 10 matches—a Premier League record for any team at this stage of a campaign.
Arsenal’s aerial bombardment continued to trouble the hosts, with Jurrien Timber squandering a gilt-edged opportunity when he headed another Rice corner over the crossbar. The relentless pressure eventually yielded a second goal 10 minutes before the break, as Leandro Trossard’s delicate chip was met by Rice, who powered a header beyond Martin Dubravka.
The Brazilian goalkeeper had earlier denied Bukayo Saka after Gyokeres’s neat lay-off, whilst Trossard saw his follow-up cleared off the line as Arsenal threatened to run riot.
Gyokeres was withdrawn at half-time, replaced by Mikel Merino in what appeared to be a precautionary measure, adding to Arsenal’s ongoing injury concerns. However, the visitors’ dominance was such that Burnley were unable to capitalise on any perceived vulnerability.
The victory maintains Arsenal’s remarkable momentum as they navigate a gruelling schedule of seven matches in just 22 days. The Gunners return to Champions League action on Tuesday when they travel to face Slavia Prague.
For Arteta, the triumph represents vindication of his methods following pre-season scrutiny of his credentials. The Spaniard has expertly capitalised on champions Liverpool’s dramatic decline to position Arsenal as strong favourites to claim their first English top-flight crown since 2004 and their first silverware of any description since lifting the FA Cup in 2020.
Having finished as runners-up in each of the previous three seasons, Arsenal appear determined to finally end their 21-year wait for league glory. Their current form suggests that this could finally be the campaign where the North London club reclaims their place at the pinnacle of English football.
