Burnley 0-5 Arsenal: Report and Player Ratings 

It was the type of performance we expected from Arsenal, and the type of performance we got. Mikel Arteta’s men thrashed Burnley by five goals to none, and for the second week running, terrorized a team in claret and blue on their own turf.

Martin Ødegaard, from outside the box, plants a rocket of a half-volley into the bottom right and opened the scoring within four minutes.

Bukayo Saka then followed up with a penalty to put us two ahead after Leandro Trossard was wiped out in the box. Our starboy then got his second after following up on an Ødegaard through ball, scoring in clinical fashion with his weaker right foot. Trossard scored the fourth, curling the ball into the corner with his left foot. And it was Kai Havertz to finish things off, nutmegging defeneder Delcroix and converting a 1-on-1 to put Arsenal two points off table-toppers liverpool.

Once again it was an away match where the gunners dominated.

While our attacking performance was great, our defensive display was just as impressive. We controlled the game with 65% of the ball, and limited their attack superbly.

We went the full 90 minutes without conceding a shot on taget, and this can be credited to the solidity of our backline yesterday afternoon. From defence to attack, we were the better team all over the pitch.

We’ve had a record-breaking 2024 so far, boasting a perfect record.

It’s the first time ever that Arsenal have won five straight league matches at the start of a calendar year. And in those five games we have scored 21 goals, propelling us to a massive +36 goal difference, the best in the division.

If you looked at the league situation on New Year’s Day compared to now, you can see how well we’ve done since 2024 began.

We have to give credit to the boss and the players for how they’ve turned it around recently, and once again become one of the main title contenders.

Starting XI Player Ratings

David Raya - 8/10

In truth, David Raya wasn’t tested much at all. I believe he only had one actual save to make, where he parried the ball away from his front post. His distribution and calmness on the ball was evident, and he is quickly becoming very underrated by fans who look to slate him after every mistake. No goalkeeper has kept more clean sheets in the league than David Raya (8) this season, and he didn’t step a foot wrong all match. For that reason, I have to give him at least an 8 for this game.

Jakub Kiwior - 8/10

Since Zinchenko’s been out, Jakub Kiwior has done a good job of filling in at the LB position, and against Burnley was no different. Whilst he doesn’t have the ability to go forward like Zinchenko does, he makes up for it by being solid as a defender. However, he did contribute in two of the goals, even picking up an assist via a throw-in for Kai Havertz. For this game he was solid in defence and in attack, so he gets an 8.

William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes - 8/10 

Our centre back pairing this season has been among the best in the world, playing a vital part in helping Arsenal concede the least amount of goals this league campaign. This game was yet another where they were both solid. From winning duels to nullifying the attack and keeping a clean sheet, they were dominant again. The only thing missing from their games was an occasional goal, so they both get an 8. 

Ben White - 8/10

In a positive season for Arsenal, Ben White has been one of our most consistent performers.  Burnley was a typical Ben White performance, solid in defence and linking up well on the overlap with Saka. It was down the right hand side where Arsenal were most successful, so I think Ben White deserves an 8.

Declan Rice - 7/10

Perhaps I’m being a little harsh, because the midfield controlled the game and he helped to do so. Rice was a bit more defensive minded as a pose to the last few weeks, and as a result didn’t really contribute too much going forwards. I think he is a victim of his own standards; this game, in the best meaning, is just an average Declan Rice performance. He still played well, but for his standards I am giving him a 7.

Martin Ødegaard - 9/10 (POTM)

Martin Ødegaard has been severely underrated this season. He has developed to become one our leading players on the pitch, not by the fact that he’s our captain, but because of the way he plays. Against Burnley he was the engine behind the attack. His techical brilliance and intelligence linked all the forward players together. Everything in the attack flowed through him. In my opinion, on his day he is the best Arsenal player, and against Burnley he proved this. Pipping in with a sumptuous goal and assist, he gets a 9, and is my man of the match.

Kai Havertz - 8/10

Kai Havertz has, without contributing in goals, been extremely important in the past few weeks. His physicality and movement has allowed others to thrive, and he is improving with every game in an Arsenal shirt. This game is no exception, a proper performance. His winning of aerial duels and physicality when shielding the ball helped Arsenal click, and he also scored our fifth. However, his touch seemed off at times, and had it been better, may have allowed him to contribute more on the socresheet. Based on this, he gets an 8.

Leandro Trossard - 7/10

Leandro Trossard has been a great utility player to utilise in the attack, but against Burnley I felt like it just didn’t click for him. Yes, he did score with a composed finish, but just like Havertz, I feel that he could’ve had more to celebrate during the game. Usually, he is one of our most clinical finishers, but he missed quite a few chances that he would usually bury. He could easily have had a hat-trick on another day, but was not quite good enough in the final third.

Gabriel Martinelli - 7/10

Gabriel Martinelli was the only attacking player not to contribute in any of the goals, but this wasn’t entirely his fault. Most of the forward play came down the right side with Saka, and he created a few chances for the likes of Trossard and Havertz that weren’t finished off, denying him an assist. A good thing about Martinelli is that, even if he doesn’t score, he is always a threat. At Turf Moor, he still managed to play a role by using his pace to take on players. While the final output didn’t result in a contribution when five goals where scored, he didn’t play badly at all.

Bukayo Saka - 9/10

Finally, Bukayo Saka. Since the start of 2024, I think he has been the best player in the league bar none. With another brillliant performance that saw him grab a brace including a penalty, its clear he’s only getting better as the league carries on. He linked up brilliantly with Ødegaard in particular, and the two were the standout players in what was a superb performance all round from the Arsenal.