EPL 2017/18: Burnley 0-1 Arsenal - 5 talking points

Before a ball was even kicked, this game was being billed as an encounter between two top four contenders at such an early stage of the campaign.

If either side prevailed, they would overtake Tottenham into fourth place in the table and finish their weekend with better results than the majority of rivals above them.

Surprisingly, Burnley were being tipped as the favourites as they say pretty in sixth with 22 points - only behind the Gunners on goal difference ahead of this fixture.

However, Arsenal's quality would ultimately shine through as they picked up another last-minute victory over Sean Dyche's side. A stoppage-time penalty was coolly dispatched by Alexis Sánchez and proved enough to send the visitors back to north London with all three points.

For the first time this term, Arsenal are in the top four. It's a frustrating defeat to take for Burnley, who defended well and is not the first time they've lost late on against Arsene Wenger's side either in recent meetings.

They're left in seventh place but despite the disappointment, they sit comfortably in a position that is still well above expectations.

With that in mind, here are the main talking points from Arsenal's last-gasp win at Turf Moor.

#5 No Mesut Özil

Mesut Ozil has directly contributed to four PL goals this season

Arsenal fans were left bemused when they saw Mesut Özil had been omitted from the starting line-up through an illness. In his place, Nigerian youngster Alex Iwobi started.

Although the Gunners completed 532 passes over the 90 minutes, it was clear that they missed the German's magic touch in the final third.

No player has created more chances (34) than the 29-year-old this term. His ability to carve open opportunities in tight spaces gives his team-mates confidence and ensures their attacking player is always kept ticking over. In his absence, they managed to create 13 chances but only register two shots on target.

Iwobi himself did not offer much creativity in truth. The 21-year-old only created one chance, lost the ball twice and misplaced four passes. The drop in quality was considerable but in the end, Arsenal managed to snatch all three points and Mesut's absence did not result in them squandering a winnable match on this occasion.

#4 Jack Wilshere given Premier League minutes

Jack Wilshere has only played 48 minutes of PL football this season

In the 66th minute, Arsène Wenger substituted Alex Iwobi for Jack Wilshere. A decision that was met with much joy from the Arsenal faithful, as they’ve been crying out for the creative-minded Englishman to be rewarded with more minutes in the league.

England boss Gareth Southgate was watching on from the stands and the onus was on the 25-year-old to make a meaningful cameo off the substitutes' bench.

He responded by playing intricate one-twos in tight positions, making darting runs into the final third and relentlessly pressing off the ball too. It was Wilshere's direct style of play that pushed the Gunners forward on the front foot for the remainder of the match.

His probing runs forced Burnley's backline further back into their own area, allowing the visitors to dominate in possession and maintain attacking pressure as time ticked by.

He did not put a foot wrong, maintaining 100% pass accuracy while creating a goalscoring opportunity too. Wilshere appears like a ready-made replacement for Özil, whose future in north London is increasingly uncertain as the German's contract is set to expire next summer.

Today, he showed why he still has so much more to offer the club he loves, and justified the supporters who called for his inclusion.

#3 Alexandre Lacazette excels

Lacazette has scored 6 league goals this season

Today, the Frenchman proved that it's not only his finishing ability that justifies his £52.7million price tag. As Burnley deployed themselves in a low defensive block, Lacazette was not afforded the space to run in behind like he usually is.

The 26-year-old attacker used his tactical intelligence to adjust to his situation, instead opting to act as a false nine. This meant he dropped deeper to connect with Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka, allowing the visitors to quickly evade Burnley's initial press.

He may not have scored and only had one shot on target, but Lacazette's performance would have impressed Arsene Wenger immensely. He proved that he could cope with the physicality of the league while still being effective in attack. He completed two successful take-ons, won an aerial battle, completed 23 passes and also created a goalscoring opportunity too.

He did well and has proved that he's not just limited to the poacher's role.

#2 Burnley play passing football

Burnley v Arsenal - Premier League

Burnley have always been unfairly branded as a long ball side who play unattractive football. They're known as this generation's Bolton Wanderers, a team that relies on their physicality and constant balls over the top into their attackers.

However, against Arsenal, Sean Dyche's men proved they're everything but that.

Contrary to reports of constant aerial missiles at Turf Moor, Burnley were playing out from the back and regularly kept the ball on the ground. This was perhaps a style of play that seemingly took the Gunners by surprise in the first 45.

They tallied a respectable 77% pass accuracy, which can still be improved upon. With 350 passes and 529 total touches on the ball, they aimed to match Arsenal's style of play and their daring attitude almost paid off.

They were more expansive in attack but equally physically strong and resolute defensively. They won 19 aerial duels, made 14 tackles, 11 interceptions and 33 clearances during the full 90.

It's no wonder defeat is so hard to take in a match like this, not least as they seem to have struck a balance between attacking football and rigid organisation defensively. They've risen above many critics' expectations as a result, with seventh place an impressive reflection on their campaign thus far. The real question is whether they'll manage to maintain this consistency throughout as matches come thick and fast against tough opposition.

#1 Arsenal steal a victory, again

Arsenal have beaten Burnley in 7 of their previous 10 encounters

For the third successive league game against Burnley, Arsenal have won the game by scoring a goal in stoppage time. Alexis has netted twice, and the other was a controversial handball by Laurent Koscielny during a goalmouth scramble.

Burnley felt they did enough to earn a hard-fought goalless draw with the Gunners, but a poor individual mistake undid all their hard work. James Tarkowski inexplicably pushed over Aaron Ramsey in the area with the Welshman attempting to latch onto Sead Kolašinac's inviting delivery.

Referee Lee Mason showed no hesitation in pointing to the spot, where Alexis responded in due course with a cool finish into the bottom corner.

These are the types of matches that can easily decide where you finish in the league come mid-May. When you consider the fact that the Clarets had only lost two games prior to this fixture, it's a highly impressive result and important victory for Arsenal - not least against a tough opponent away from home comforts.