Premier League, Arsenal 2-1 Burnley: 3 Tactics from Unai Emery that won Arsenal the game

Modified Aug 18, 2019 06:55 GMT

Arsenal FC v Burnley FC - Premier League

The Premier League 2019/2020 season entered it's second official week as Arsenal faced Burnley at the Emirates. The Gunners won the game 2-1, thanks to goals from Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre Emerick-Aubamayeng. For the away side, the only goal was scored by Ashley Barnes.

This is the first time in 10 years that Arsenal has won the first two games at the start of a new season. Coming to the match, Arsenal dominated the early part of the game. The home side pegged Burnley back and scored through Lacazette.

The Frenchman displayed his neat footwork and somehow managed to smack it past Nick Pope into the back of the net. Burnley equalized at the very end of the first half as Barnes scored.

In the second half of the match, Unai Emery brought on Nicolas Pepe for Reiss Nelson. The half was dominated by the home side in terms of possession and chances created. Around the 64th minute of the game, Aubameyang scored for the second consecutive Premier League game and it was a great finish from the Gabonese striker.

Arsenal then held on to win their second consecutive Premier League game. In this slideshow, we are going to take a look at the 3 Tactics from Unai Emery that won Arsenal the game:

#3 Sticking to the plan of playing out from the back

Surprisingly enough, Burnley pressed Arsenal throughout the game, even when the home side were looking to pass their way out from the back.

Doing that, the Gunners lost the ball in midfield many times. But credit to Emery's side as the mistakes didn't stop them from sticking to the plan.

Arsenal invited the away side onto them and when they passed their way out of the Burnley press, the Gunners had a free run at the away side's defence.

While these attacking moments didn't lead into anything significant, Emery would be pleased with the number of opportunities his side created by playing out from the back.

Their style would be further tested by Liverpool next week as Arsenal travel to Anfield on 24th August.

#2 Playing Dani Ceballos as the attacking midfielder and trusting in his young midfield

Emery started the game against Burnley with a very young and dynamic midfield. Matteo Guendouzi and Joseph Willock played in a midfield two, while Arsenal's new loan signing, Dani Ceballos operated as the attacking midfielder.

Willock, who had an average game against Newcastle United, was trusted by Emery again and that would have given the youngster a lot of confidence. He didn't disappoint his manager as well.

Playing alongside Guendouzi, the English midfielder was neat and tidy with his passing, and also made some key interceptions.

Also, playing Ceballos rather than Willock in the attacker role turned out to be a great decision as the Spaniard put in a man of the match performance.

He got two assists on his home debut for Arsenal. Some of his touches and passing on the day was absolutely exquisite.

The midfield that started for the Gunners has a lot of potential and it's important that Emery trusts in them.

#1 Pressing football and fluid attack

One of the most important aspects of Emery's style of play is the off the ball pressure that his players put on the opposition. The pressing throughout the game from the Gunners was cohesive and whenever they lost the ball, they were putting pressure on Burnley to win it back as soon as possible.

The second goal that Arsenal scored was a testament to Emery's style of play. Ceballos won the ball back in midfield, passed it on to Aubameyang and in a matter of time, the ball ended up in the back of the net.

Also, the home side's attack was quite fluid. The likes of Lacazette and Aubameyang were changing their positions constantly. For the first goal, the French international was playing as the striker, while for the second, Aubameyang occupied the central area.

The introduction of Nicolas Pepe also had a positive effect on the Gunners as the Ivorian showed bits of his potential. All in all, it was a game filled with a lot of positives for Arsenal.

Edited by Alan John