Arsenal's Road to Glory: 2-0 at Burnley Keeps the Title Charge Alive
1 November 2025
Match Report
Arsenal continued their strong start to the season with another away win, this time at Burnley (2-0) on Saturday in the Premier League's tenth round.
The Londoners' goals came from Victor Giokeris and Declan Rice in the 14th and 35th minutes.
Arteta assessed the performance after the game, noting the first half was exceptional as they scored twice and conceded none, a solid foundation for the result.
In the second half, the team had to adjust and maintain defensive resilience, which they did again.
Burnley are known to be tough at home and had not lost there for 18 months, with their only recent setback this season coming in the final moments against Liverpool via a late penalty.
Regarding Giokeris's substitution, Arteta said the winger had been among Arsenal's best in the first half but suffered a muscle tightness, so they had to monitor him.
On Declan Rice, Arteta commented that the midfielder has risen to expectations and developed a lot, with many touches and interceptions.
Rice himself added that Burnley may have only lost once in 18 months; the match would be difficult, but Arsenal stuck to their principles and could have scored four or five in the first half.
He also noted that the second goal involved defending a long throw, Gabriel cut out the danger, and he tracked back as if he were a traditional midfielder.
Asked about his skyward celebration, he recalled that his aunt had passed away before the Fulham game and that she used to watch him from below, so that day was dedicated to her.
With this victory, Arsenal moved to 25 points, extending their lead at the top to seven points, while Burnley remained on 10 in 17th place.
Match statistics highlighted that Giokeris ended his Premier League drought with his first league goal since September. Opta noted Arsenal have eight goals from set pieces this season, the most by any team in the first ten rounds in Premier League history. Skaoka data show Gabriel Magalhaes as the most goal-contributing defender in the league since joining Arsenal in 2020-21, with 21 contributions (18 goals, 3 assists). Arsenal have won their last seven games across all competitions with a 14-0 aggregate and, for the first time since 2014, have won four consecutive Premier League games without conceding a goal, a feat last achieved when Arteta was still a player.
Beyond the result, Arsenal's progress is framed as part of a long-term project under Arteta, who took charge in December 2019 and rebuilt the squad on clear foundations: playing from the back with confidence, pressing high, and exploiting space efficiently. With reinforcements like Rice and Havertz, plus the returns of Saka and Odegaard to top form, Arsenal now combine maturity with tactical flexibility. Team spirit and defensive discipline have made them more balanced than ever, capable of winning even when not at their best. The upcoming tests against Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham will be decisive, but Arteta believes the side can face the big rivals with the same level of confidence and perhaps prevail. With Europe's strongest defense and rising metrics, Arsenal appear to be steering toward a new golden chapter, and 2025-2026 could see the title return to the Emirates after more than two decades.
Arteta's long-term project continues to take shape; the Spaniard has built a side that emphasizes playing from the back, high pressing, and efficient use of space. The additions of Rice and Havertz, along with the returns of Saka and Odegaard, provide a blend of experience and dynamism. The spirit and discipline at the back underpin the progress and make Arsenal a balanced force capable of winning even in lean moments. The road ahead will test them against the best, but the signs are encouraging. Sniper-style punchlines: Arsenal's defense is so tight that even the offside line asks for permission to cross. If this cadence continues, the trophy cabinet might soon require a bigger door to accommodate the growing collection.
