Mikel Arteta impressed by Arsenal’s drive in Burnley rout

BURNLEY – Mikel Arteta saluted Arsenal’s hunger as the Premier League title chasers crushed Burnley 5-0 on Feb 17 to keep the pressure on leaders Liverpool.

Just hours after Liverpool won 4-1 at Brentford, the Spaniard’s side ran riot at Turf Moor to make it five successive league wins.

Martin Odegaard opened the scoring inside four minutes and Bukayo Saka’s brace was complemented by strikes from Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz in the latest show of the Gunners’ prowess in front of goal.

The second-placed side, who have 55 points and are two behind Liverpool, have been in ruthless mood since returning from a winter training camp in Dubai.

They thrashed Crystal Palace 5-0, won 2-1 at Nottingham Forest, beat Liverpool 3-1 and demolished West Ham 6-0 before putting lowly Burnley to the sword.

Arteta was delighted by his players’ desire as they refused to be satisfied by their recent dominance.

“I see certain behaviour on the pitch that they want more still, that they are not satisfied with certain things – and that’s a great sign,” he told Sky Sports

“They wanted more, the way they tracked back in the 95th minute is just incredible. It shows the desire everybody has in the squad – the finishers, starters, players who are not there. It was a really good afternoon.”

Asked if Arsenal’s clear superiority over their recent opponents was even more pleasing than their goal spree, Arteta said: “Yeah, I think the threat, the purpose, the activity and the connections of the players are flowing and they really want it.

“We have momentum now and we have to maintain it.”

Arteta acknowledged the rout in Lancashire was the ideal preparation for Arsenal’s return to Champions League action. They travel to Porto for the first leg of their last-16 tie on Feb 21.

Arsenal forward Saka, who has scored in four successive top-flight games for the first time in his career, said he is enjoying his football as he racked up six goals during that period.

The Englishman, who is still waiting for his first senior hat-trick for the Gunners, told the club website: “I need to keep focused.

“But yeah, of course I’m happy to score two, two weeks in a row and hopefully the third one will come soon.

“It’s coming. It’s coming, but I need to be patient.”

Despite being only 22, Saka was already one of the most mature members of his squad, said Arteta.

“Yes, we don’t really see it (in football), especially forwards and wingers with that level of consistency and numbers,” he said. “But it is not a coincidence when you look at him every single day.

“The way he trains, the way he applies himself, the qualities that he has. And he can do more.”

With City being held 1-1 at home by Chelsea, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher believes that will give Liverpool and Arsenal a mental boost in the title race.

“There’s a long way to go, but there will be a huge feeling at Liverpool and Arsenal right now,” said the former Reds defender.

“It will give them confidence that City can drop points and that will give both of those teams a chance not just to win the title but to take it to the wire.” AFP