SAN FRANCISCO, December 14, (THEWILL) – Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal saw Granit Xhaka sent off as an insipid 1-0 defeat against Burnley at the Emirates Stadium was added to a string of woeful results in the domestic competition for the Gunners this season.
With 10 changes from the side that beat Dundalk in the Europa League on Thursday, Arsenal started slowly on Sunday. They could have been behind 13 minutes in, but an unmarked Chris Wood inexplicably headed wide from eight yards.
Defender Rob Holding replicated that move as he headed over at the other end, while Alexandre Lacazette was denied by goalkeeper Nick Pope’s leg after being picked out inside the penalty area by left back Kieran Tierney.
Pope then denied Tierney and Bukayo Saka in quick succession at the start of the second period before Xhaka’s moment of madness.
Initially issued a yellow card for pawing at midfielder Ashley Westwood, the Switzerland international’s foul was upgraded to a red card by referee Graham Scott after he viewed the incident on a pitchside monitor.
It made it the sixth Premier League red card for the Gunners since Arteta took over in December 2019, a tally that is double that of any other side in the same timeframe.
When Xhaka’s co-midfielder Mohamed Elneny pushed Burnley centre back James Tarkowski soon after, he was fortunate Scott decided his push only warranted just a yellow card.
That reprieve did not last long for the Gunners because Aubameyang erroneously glanced the ball from a free-kick past Bernd Leno in the 73rd minute to guarantee an uncomfortable few days for Arteta.
Arsenal, who have now lost four consecutive top-flight home games for the first time since December 1959, remain in 15th with 13 points, while the Clarets move up to 17th place.
Arteta will hope to still be in charge when the Gunners host high-flying Southampton on Wednesday, while Burnley visit Villa a day later.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
