At 22:00 Beijing time on January 23, the 23rd round of the Premier League ushered in a focus battle: Arsenal, a traditional giant aiming to return to the Champions League, hosted the Premier League vice-captain Burnley.
Manchester United's 1-0 home win over West Ham United in this round will pull West Ham United from the fourth place in the Premier League table and replace it, Manchester United 22 games with 38 points, West Ham United 23 games with 37 points fell to fifth, Arsenal 20 games with 35 points was squeezed to seventh, but only 3 points less than Manchester United, and 2 fewer rounds, and 2 more goals on goal difference. Arsenal can return to fourth in the Premier League table as long as they can beat Burnley at home in this round.
Burnley scored 11 points from 17 wins, 8 draws and 8 defeats, making him at the bottom of the Premier League table.
Arsenal started 4141, with Lacazette playing as a centre-forward, midfielders Martinelli, Smith Rowe, Erdegao, Saka, defender Lokunga, defender Tierney, Gabriel, Holden, Ben White, goalkeeper Ramsdale. With a total value of 340 million euros, this starting eleven is also the strongest lineup Arteta can discharge.
Burnley started 442, with Vidra and Rodriguez partnering up front. The starting eleven are worth a total of 85 million euros, a significant gap with Arsenal.
After the opening, Arsenal, which played at home and was far above the opponents in overall strength, did not have much of an advantage. In the 5th minute, Lokunga's long-range shot from outside the penalty area bounced off his teammates. In the 7th minute, McNeil's cross flew towards goal and Ramsdale saved the ball off the line.
In the 20th minute, Smith Rowe's cross was met by Odegaard's shot saved by Pope, followed by Lacazette and then fired again, which was destroyed by the defenders.
In the 28th minute, Arsenal's free kick in front of the field, Erdegaard's direct shot was confiscated by Pope.
Towards the end of the first half, Arsenal counter-attacked, with Smith Rowe splitting the ball across Saka, who deflected his shot off the upright.
In the second half, Arsenal's attack still struggled to pose a substantial threat to Burnley's goal. In the 61st minute, a free kick in front of the field, Erdegaard took a direct shot at goal, high over the crossbar. In the 63rd minute, Arsenal corner kick, Odegaard took the penalty line and Smith Rowe followed up with a shot that was saved by Pope. In the 66th minute, Sakaneche's shot was confiscated by Pope. A minute later, Smith Rowe forced a breakthrough and returned the pass, and Lacazette's shot was deflected off the post. In the 86th minute, Martinelli crossed and Gabriel's header was confiscated by Pope.
Arsenal shot 5 of 20 shots on goal, Burnley had 1 shot on target in 10 shots, arsenal had 76% of the ball and Burnley had only 24%. Arsenal can be said to be invincible, and in the end can only accept a 0-0 draw. The home team can't win, and it can be said that it is quite fatal for the Gunners' "four big games".
Arsenal finished sixth in the Premier League table with 36 points in 21 games, with four more goals on goal difference than seventh-place Spurs, but Tottenham Hotspur played two rounds less than Arsenal.