Arsenal Beat Burnley Controversially

The chance to go second in the Premier League looked gone, as boos rang around the Emirates. Referee Jon Moss was the target, for awarding the penalty that Andre Gray converted in the third minute of injury time. Moss had also sent a raging Arsene Wenger down the Emirates tunnel for his complaints.

Arsenal’s anger was understandable, yet misplaced. Francis Coquelin’s rash foul on Ashley Barnes had given Moss no choice, and neither had Granit Xhaka when committing a similar foul on Steven Defour in the 65th minute that led to his dismissal.

And yet, there was a twist, and a cruel one on spirited, determined Burnley. Two minutes after Gray’s equaliser, Moss awarded another penalty, for Ben Mee’s high kick to the face of Laurent Koscielny. Alexis Sanchez, the coolest man in the stadium, sent Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton the wrong way. It was an amazing conclusion to a game that had previously been a grind, with Arsenal out of sorts. Wenger had retained the same starting lineup that swatted aside Swansea in winning 4-0 last week but this assignment was never so easy. Burnley were industrious, and both attacked and defended in numbers.

Though Arsenal dominated possession, they always had to be wary of the speed and power of Gray. Goalkeeper Petr Cech was also the recipient of a heavy blow to the head from Gray, when the two collided in the first half when chasing down a loose ball.

The first half was frustrating for home fans, as their team created a series of half-chances and promising openings, only to never quite get a clear sight of goal. Alexis Sanchez wasted the best chance when wafting wide from the edge of the penalty area, with Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton at last left exposed.

Efforts were redoubled as soon as the second period began; Aaron Ramsey improvised a backheeled finish that looped over the bar, and Sanchez again missed the target after cutting in from the left flank. Burnley having to resort to last-ditch tackles and blocks to clear their lines.

A penalty claim came and went when Mustafi was tripped by Gray on the edge of the area, an injustice forgotten when the German international stooped to nod in his first goal for the Gunners but swiftly recalled when Xhaka was dismissed, even if referee Jon Moss made the correct decision in issuing a red card.

The Swiss international’s two-footed challenge on Steven Defour in the 65th minute was a loss of control. Defour was going nowhere in his own half, yet Xhaka lunged dangerously. Moss was initially unsure, yet consulted assistant Andy Halliday, before Xhaka received his second dismissal of his Arsenal career, his ninth in three years, a disturbing total considering the midfielder is just 24.

Olivier Giroud was forced to wait for his opportunity but seized it with relish. Since making his first Premier League start on Dec. 26, he had scored on each occasion. Here, he was unable to extend the streak to six matches.

That may further the case of those Gunners fans who would prefer Sanchez to be restored to the central role in which he excelled before Christmas, though few could argue that the Frenchman was not making himself indispensable. Sanchez’s job is now to buzz around Giroud; Wenger has given the Chilean license to roam where he wishes and here he looked far more dangerous than the centre-forward.

Disappointment was audible when Giroud hurriedly shanked a shot wide in the early stages, after being found by Mesut Ozil. Just past the half hour, and perhaps empowered by the “scorpion kick” he scored against Crystal Palace on New Year’s Day, he also attempted some overhead acrobatics. Aaron Ramsey had set up the chance with a “rabona” flick from his right foot and, had he connected, then Giroud might have had another entry for “Goal of the Season.” As it was, heading the ball looked far the better choice.

When Ben Mee clattered into him soon after that, Giroud cried out in pain, only to soldier on with what looked a knock to his ankle. Perhaps coincidentally, Giroud never came so close to scoring as he had in those opening salvos, but did play his part at the other end of the pitch when working back to defend a series of Burnley set pieces as the visitors’ numerical advantage lent them greater territory.

Are Burnley in a false position? Their Premier League points total — they began the day in 13th — relies almost completely on home form. Away from Turf Moor, they have collected a single point from ten matches, a goalless draw at Old Trafford in which Manchester United peppered Tom Heaton’s goal to no avail.

It is a trend they must arrest, even if they must feel hard done by the turn of events that converted what looked a worthy away point into a harrowing last-gasp defeat. They must hope that this decent performance can be repeated and that points come with it.

Sean Dyche’s team have just two home games until April, and one of those is against Chelsea, meaning they require points from their five away games to escape being drawn into the relegation dogfight. Their current total of 26 is not enough for any sort of comfort, a total of just four away goals scored and 22 conceded is a pitiful return.

The reasons for such travel troubles were implicit in Burnley’s approach at the Emirates. It was brave to the point of foolhardy. Dyche played twinned strikers in Gray and Ashley Barnes, while the lustrous locks of both George Boyd and Jeff Hendrick frequently surged forward from midfield.

By the bitter end, Burnley were paying for their naivety. Mustafi’s goal came from a set play, and Mee’s foul for the penalty was wholly avoidable. On such margins might their Premier League status eventually rest.