Burnley vs Arsenal. Premier League.
Turf Moor.
Report and highlights as Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang handed Arsenal the lead but Granit Xhaka's gift let Burnley back in; the game came to life in the final 10 minutes with chances at either end and VAR overturning a penalty and red card
Sunday 7 March 2021 13:33, UK
Granit Xhaka gifted Burnley an equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Arsenal, in a match which also saw Erik Pieters' red card and an Arsenal penalty overturned by VAR.
Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang put Arsenal in control with an early finish that snuck through the grasp of Nick Pope (6). However, with Arsenal cruising and Burnley struggling, Xhaka inexplicably decided to play a pass across his own six-yard box which deflected off Chris Wood's hip and into the unguarded net (39).
The game seemed to be meandering towards an uneventful conclusion but then sparked into life in the final 10 minutes.
Arsenal felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Pieters looked to have handled in the area but VAR did not deem it a clear and obvious error. Pieters - in the thick of the action - was then dismissed by referee Andre Marriner and a penalty was awarded when the defender deflected a Nicolas Pepe effort onto the crossbar. However, VAR showed that the block had come off his shoulder and Burnley had a reprieve.
Arsenal still managed to create one last chance in injury-time but Dani Ceballos curled an effort off the foot of the post as Burnley managed to hold on.
Arsenal have taken only eight points from their last seven games, leaving them firmly in mid-table as the fight for Europe rages above them.
Aubameyang's clever positioning off the left spearheaded attack after attack in the first half for Arsenal.
The Gabon forward needed only six minutes to make it six goals from his last five starts, cutting in from the left to hit a low shot which Pope could not keep out at his near post. Gareth Southgate was watching on from the stands.
Aubameyang - who has scored more goals, eight, against Burnley than any other Premier League side - looked in the mood as he twice went close himself while also setting up Bukayo Saka, guilty of a bad miss as he poked wide.
Burnley could barely string two passes together as Thomas Partey then fired over from Martin Odegaard's cut back.
But then Xhaka came bearing Premier League gifts. Xhaka took a short pass from Bernd Leno while facing his own goal and a pass to David Luiz looked on but the Swiss midfielder took a touch, looked up, then inexplicably kicked the ball against Wood and watched in horror as it flew into the net.
It was the eighth time the Swiss midfielder has been guilty of an error leading directly to a goal since the 2016-17 season - more than any other outfield player in the Premier League.
Burnley enjoyed more and more of the ball after the break as the game turned into a scrappy affair that suited Sean Dyche's men.
Saka wanted a penalty when the ball struck substitute Pieters on 74 minutes, but neither Marriner nor VAR Kevin Friend were interested as it came at the Dutchman from close range.
Pieters remained at the forefront of the game as his volley had to be touched over the crossbar by Leno at full stretch.
Moments later Wood should have had his second but shot straight at Leno when played in by Matej Vydra.
At the other end substitute Pepe missed a sitter as he swung tamely at Kieran Tierney's pass.
Further drama came as Marriner pointed to the spot when Pepe's volley hit Pieters and flew on to the crossbar. Pieters was initially shown a red card, but it was overturned by Friend with replays showing the ball struck the Burnley man on the shoulder.
Ceballos then saw his shot come back off the post in a frantic finish that Burnley were fortunate to escape from with a point.
Burnley must be sick of the sight of Aubameyang.
He has now scored more Premier League goals against Burnley (8) than against any other club, while only against Hamburg (9) has he netted more often in the top five European leagues.
Overall, the Gabon striker looks a far more confident player than the one who has struggled for large parts this season. That is now six goals in his last five starts across all competitions. His movement looks sharper, as does his finishing. There was never anything else in his mind as he dribbled towards the box. We are now seeing the real Aubameyang.
Burnley boss Sean Dyche said: "Overall, another good point against a good Arsenal side. We attempted to affect the game by pressing all match. We relied on the same group [as in previous games] and they were outstanding, the way they went after Arsenal for the whole 90 minutes.
"I'm a fan of VAR, we know it has to be streamlined but that is where it's worth its weight in gold. The referee couldn't wait to get his red card out today, although he is a very fine referee. That is what VAR is for. There wasn't a lot in it in the first half, but our defending was exceptional and we probably made the chance of the game, but their 'keeper made a good save."
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said: "I'm disappointed with the result, but the reality is when you come here, which is a tough place to play, and you generate the chances that we created, don't score enough, give a goal to the opponent and then don't get the decisions that you should get, it becomes difficult to win a game in the league."
On the no handball penalty decision that was not overturned by VAR, was it a penalty? "Absolutely I think it's obvious and clear I think there is no debate about that. If that's not a penalty I think somebody has to explain what is a penalty in this league."
Burnley have condemned online abuse directed at defender Erik Pieters and his family following the 1-1 draw against Arsenal and the club are investigating the matter.
The abusive comments were made on an Instagram post, where Pieters had wished his wife a happy Valentine's Day . Some contained wishes of harm on his wife and unborn child.
A Burnley statement read: "We are aware of online abuse directed at Erik Pieters following yesterday's game.
"Thanks to all who have highlighted it. We are in contact with all relevant parties and offering our support to Erik and his family."
Sky Sports News has contacted Instagram for comment.
Pieters came on as a substitute at Turf Moor on Saturday, replacing the injured Charlie Taylor during the second half and Arsenal felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Pieters looked to have handled the ball in the six-yard box as he blocked a shot from Nicolas Pepe in the latter stages of the game.
Referee Andre Mariner awarded a penalty to the Gunners and gave Pieters a red card but the decision was overturned following a VAR review which ruled that the shot ricocheted off of the defender's shoulder instead of his arm.
After the final whistle, Pieters explained that he felt VAR had made the correct call after Mariner's original decision was reviewed.
"I still felt the burn after I blocked the shot on my shoulder. If the shoulder isn't handball, I was sure I would stay on the pitch," Pieters said.
"To be honest I was pretty sure to stay on and continue the game.
"He [the referee] was really quick to give me a red card, which I understand because it's his first reaction.
"But after VAR it was clearly a shoulder. VAR has had a bit of stick here and there but sometimes they can make the right decision as well."
