Arsenal vs Burnley match report: Alexis Sanchez strike seals progression past battling Clarets
Arsenal 2 Burnley 1
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Your support makes all the difference.“To have and to hold” proclaimed the front cover of the programme, which gave a red tint to a photograph of football most familiar trophy, framed in the entrance to the tunnel at the Emirates. For richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, Arsenal remain wedded to tradition.
The FA Cup doesn’t attract the corporate crowd, as the underpopulated executive tiers proved, and, judging by Arsenal’s intermittent intensity, it does not necessarily inspire those on the fringes of Premier League football.
Yet Arsène Wenger, 1,100 matches into his dynasty in north London, ensured the competition was neither demeaned nor disrespected. Victory was not entirely convincing, and his team was not at full strength, but the end justified his means.
Arsenal are in the fifth round. History beckons, since they retain a chance of emulating Blackburn Rovers, the last team to win the FA Cup in three successive seasons. The ghosts who triumphed at the Kennington Oval between 1884 and 1886, are stirring.
“There’s a long way to go, but I would love to do it,” Wenger confirmed with a thin smile which hinted at the competing attraction of winning the Premier League. More immediately, he was encouraged by the dominant performance of Alexis Sanchez, in his first start for nine weeks, and the return of Francis Coquelin.
Burnley are a parade-ground team, impeccably organised and exuding shiny-booted pride in their own performance. This will make them formidable opposition in the Championship’s promotion run in, and enabled them to flirt with the infliction of embarrassment.
Sean Dyche, who remains a manager of rich potential despite last season’s relegation, set them up to be “awkward customers.” They justified Wenger’s respect for their durability and efficiency, but were ultimately beaten by a 53rd-minute goal which captured a philosophy in 15 seconds.
Calum Chambers, whose first half goal was equalised by Sam Vokes, broke up play on the edge of his own box, and set in train a viperish counter attack. The ball flowed through five players; it was transferred instantly, with sureness of touch and a serenity which signalled finely-tuned instincts being given full rein.
When the ball reached the opposing penalty area, Alex Iwobi switched it to Alex Oxlade Chamberlain on the right. The England international is struggling for form and confidence, but he maintained offensive momentum, and pulled a low cross back at an inviting angle, along the edge of the six-yard box.
Sanchez, a fusion of timing and technique, swept the ball in. Such touches of class explain why only one lower league team has beaten the Gunners in their last 41 FA Cup ties.
“When he got injured you could see signs of fatigue,” Wenger commented. “He’s had two months’ rest, a good winter break.” As if to prove beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder, Dyche branded the goal as “cheap” since possession was lost in a promising situation.
Burnley rely on old-fashioned virtues in a world in which the rich intend to get richer, irrespective of the cost to supposedly lesser individuals and institutions. Their risks are calculated, their ambition is carefully calibrated.
Wenger made nine changes from the side which raised familiar fears by succumbing to Chelsea. He was pleased with debutant Mohamed Elneny, who exuded first-day-at-school enthusiasm. Though nominally asked to complement Coquelin, the Egyptian’s obvious instinct, as an established box-to-box midfield player, is to get forward.
“He needs to adjust to the power of the Premier League but his work rate is exceptional” observed the man who sanctioned his move from FC Basle.
Elneny was still struggling to get into the game when Arsenal took a 19th-minute lead, after loitering with intent on the edge of the Burnley area. Sanchez, fed by Iwobi, hovered on the ball, before threading it through the legs of a covering defender. Chambers scored memorably with a shot struck with the outside of his right boot.
Dyche acknowledged Burnley folded in similar circumstances at Arsenal last season. Yet his side were level within 12 minutes, through a towering header from Vokes that was straight out of an old school centre forward’s scrapbook.
Scott Arfield ensured the visitors profited from Arsenal’s failure to clear. Tendayi Darikwa’s right wing cross was pitched perfectly, and serviced an assertive leap between Chambers and Gabriel. The finish was emphatic, but Arsenal’s love for the old trophy runs deep. They were not to be denied.
Arsenal: ( 4-2-3-1) Ospina; Chambers, Gabriel, Koscielny, Gibbs; Elneny, Coquelin (Arteta, 71); Iwobi (Rosicky, 71), Sanchez (Walcott, 78), Oxlade-Chamberlain; Giroud.
Burnley: (4-4-2) Heaton; Darikwa, Keane, Mee, Ward; Arfield, Ulvestad, Jones (Barton, 67), Boyd (Kightly, 79); Vokes (Hennings, 75), Gray.
Referee: Roger East.
Man of the match: Sanchez (Arsenal)
Match rating: 6/10
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