Arsenal makes it two in a row

It was the first time in 10 years that Arsenal has won its first two league games of a season and manager Unai Emery was delighted with the team’s performance. “We can be happy. We knew it was going to be tough but we adapted well,” he told reporters. “We couldn’t execute our gameplan for most parts of the game because it pushed and made us struggle.”

Alexandre Lacazette put the Gunners ahead in the 13th minute, collecting a low ball from Dani Ceballos and showing great strength to turn marker Erik Pieters before driving through the legs of keeper Nick Pope. Burnley responded well, however, and drew level two minutes before the break.

A low effort from Dwight McNeil fell to Ashley Barnes in the box and the Clarets striker kept his composure to claim his third goal of the season. Emery brought on club record signing Nicolas Pepe after half-time and the home side put Burnley under real pressure. Pope did well to keep out efforts from Aubameyang and the hugely impressive Ceballos.

The latter won the ball in the Burnley half and fed the Gabonese forward who burst goalwards before cutting inside and beating Pope with a fine drive. Substitute Lucas Torreira had a chance to make it 3-1 in stoppage time but the Uruguayan midfielder’s shot from inside the penalty area was blocked by Pope.

Burnley continued to push for an equaliser but Arsenal hung on to close out the win. “We’ve started with two victories, last year we lost two,” added Emery. “Each match is a challenge. We are happy with six points. Next week, we will be up against Liverpool, which is a great side,” he went on to add.

2018-19 runner-up Liverpool maintained its unbeaten run in the competition with a 2-1 victory over Southampton. Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino struck for the winning side, while a former Red Danny Ings put the ball into the back of the net for the host. Promoted Norwich City opened its account this season, thanks to a brilliant hat-trick from Teemu Pukki.

The striker was in red hot form against Newcastle, which lost 1-3. Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United played out a 1-1 draw, with Everton pipping Watford 1-0. Bournemouth scored a 2-1 win over Aston Villa, which suffered its second successive defeat.