3 Major Talking Points From Arsenal vs Burnley (3-0) – Sanchez, A True Leader

Two goals from Alexis Sanchez, either side of a strike from Calum Chambers was enough for Arsenal to ensure back-to-back League wins for the first time this season. Although they we were made to work hard for  their opening goal, once the deadlock was broken, the hosts found their fluidity in attack and were bolstered by the return of Theo Walcott who made his first appearance of the season.

Here are the major talking points from the game.

1. Arsenal’s patience pays off in the end

Although the Gunners  won last weekend against Sunderland, they came into the clash against Burnley having drawn each of their last three home games. In fact, they hadn’t won at home since the dramatic opening day victory over Crystal Palace. But in the visitors, it looked as though Arsene Wenger’s side had the perfect opposition to set that record straight. After all Burnley were the only side in the League who hadn’t won a game so far and if there was ever a home banker, then this was it.

Then again, the same was said of Crystal Palace, who came into the opening game without a manager and the Gunners needed a stoppage time winner from Aaron Ramsey to rescue all three points. Thankfully for the home side, they didn’t have to wait that long, but for 70 minutes it looked as though it was going to be the fourth-straight home draw for the Gunners as the home side found it difficult to break down a dogged Burnley defence. But in the end, they did score and it came from their player of the season so far, Alexis Sanchez. And once the goal arrived, the visitors confidence was shattered and couple more goals followed to put a gloss over the final score and reward the home side’s patience and perseverance.

2. Heaton didn’t deserve to be on the losing side

When you are a relegation-threatened side who haven’t won a game all season and have to go to a place like the Emirates, if you are to even have a chance of getting anything from the game, you need to defend well. And not only that, you need a goalkeeper, who is on his game at all times. In Tom Heaton, Burnley had a keeper, who at times looked as though he just couldn’t be beaten.

Although the visitors looked compact and solid in defence, the quality of the Arsenal attack meant that they found ways around them on more than one occasion and in Heaton, they came up against a brick wall. The former Manchester United keeper was in sublime form and looked as though he was going to help his side to a crucial away point all on his own. But in the end, Heaton was beaten. And although the final score read 3-0, if it wasn’t for the 28-year-old shot-stopper it would have been much worse.

3. Have Arsenal finally found their leader?

Not since the days of Patrick Vieira have Arsenal had a leader in the dressing room, some who commands respect for his performances on the pitch and is capable of taking his team across the finishing line. As good as Thomas Vermaelen and Robin Van Persie were as captains, they were never really the leaders on the pitch. In Alexis Sanchez, it looks as though they might have finally stumbled upon one.

Last week, after he scored the second goal against Sunderland, there was almost a sense of disgust in his celebration, almost as if to say, this is how it is done. Already this season, the Chilean has shown how integral he is to the Gunners line up. If it weren’t for him, Wenger’s side will be nowhere near the top four. Sanchez has shown that not only does he have the attributes, but also the attitude to lift his side up when it matters most. While there is no doubting the Chilean winger’s attacking attributes, what sets him apart from most others is his willingness to work for the team, chase lost causes and press and win the ball back at every opportunity. While Wenger wouldn’t want to burden his £31 million attacker with the burden of captaincy and jinx him, he will certainly be pleased that he at least has one player he can count on, when the chips are down, to fight for his side.