Arteta: Arsenal’s first half vs. Burnley ‘one of the best’

Mikel Arteta said his side’s first-half performance in a comfortable 2-0 win at Burnley was “one of the best we’ve played” as they increased their lead at the top of the Premier League.

Viktor Gyökeres and Declan Rice scored first-half goals as the Gunners secured a ninth consecutive victory in all competitions and a fifth in the top flight.

Their half-time lead would have been greater without two saves from goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka, who twice denied Bukayo Saka.

Arteta said: “We started the game exceptionally well. I think the first half was one of the best we played, we scored two goals, generated two or three other big chances and didn’t concede anything.

“And it was a platform, because in the second half we lowered the standards, especially with the ball, and with our intention to play more forward. But again, defensively, we were exceptional.”

Burnley failed to lay down a glove on the Londoners, with their first shot on goal courtesy of Florentino Luis’ header in the 73rd minute before substitute Marcus Edwards’ free-kick hit a deep post in added time.

Gyökeres, who scored the opening goal from a corner as Arteta’s side also took their set-piece goal tally to 12, leading the league this season, excluding penalties, was singled out by the Spaniard for special praise.

But the Swedish striker could be a doubt for Tuesday’s Champions League match in Prague after being substituted at half-time with a muscle strain.

Arteta added: “I think it was one of the best games he played (for us).

“Overall his performance was outstanding, apart from the goal, and we had to take him off because he was feeling a bit nervous, muscular.

“His high pressing, his positioning and his touches, his entry behind, the way he chained the play, the way he takes us from this situation to the transition.

“He was having a really good time. It’s a shame he felt something.”

Burnley remain five points clear of the bottom three after their fifth league defeat of the season and boss Scott Parker felt the opening goal was decisive.

Parker said: “We understood what we were up against, a top team with enormous quality, and I thought we started the game very well.

“The (first) goal took our breath away a little bit as far as the set goal was concerned, and we had worked a lot this week on that. But I think it took away the advantage a little bit.”

Parker said it was “very difficult” to defend the Gunners from set pieces, with Rice’s deliveries “on the money” and players like Gabriel posing a huge physical threat.

“If you don’t have those players, you probably won’t score as much as Arsenal score,” Parker added.

“You have a delivery person who, every time you ask for it to be delivered by post, and the groceries will be there, he returns by post.

“You’re asking for it to be brought to the forefront, and the races are there, and they’re put there. Then you also have the other element, the timing of the races and the physicality of those races.”