For the second successive season, Arsenal grabbed all three points against Burnley thanks to a last-minute Alexis Sanchez penalty.
It looked as though the rather mediocre affair was set to end up even, however a stoppage time James Tarkowski push inside the area on midfielder Aaron Ramsey forced referee Lee Mason into making a decision – one that could prove vital in the race for the Premier League top four come the curtain falling on this term.
The Chile international’s fourth goal of the campaign now places the Gunners one point ahead of bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur, whom they tasted victory over last weekend, and sees them creep into the final Champions League spot.
Going into the clash Arsene Wenger’s men knew they could capitalise on an indifferent weekend for the ‘big six’, with Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs all dropping points courtesy of 1-1 draws, with the Blues’ and Reds’ coming up against each other on Saturday evening.
Nonetheless, following on from a well-deserved north London derby win, and despite the disappointment of their midweek Europa League defeat, Sanchez’s stoppage time winner could prove the catalyst for the good run of form Arsenal have been searching for all season.
The French manager will be hoping he is able to utilise what looks like the final months of both the 28-year-old’s and Mesut Ozil’s time at the Emirates Stadium, with both seemingly set to depart come the end of this campaign once their current deals expire.
However, Wenger would find it much easier to recruit players of a similar ilk if they found themselves in Europe’s elite competition next year, rather than their current Thursday night showings.
The Gunners certainly have the squad in order to achieve that, maybe even if it has not been shown too regularly this term, with Sanchez being a key part of that, and following his winner at Turf Moor the Arsenal fans took to Twitter to celebrate their star.
Here are some of the best tweets:
@Alexis_Sanchez 🔴🔴🔴🔴⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚽️#COYG Magic @Arsenal pic.twitter.com/tgTZANq4Ju
— Ross Dunne (@Rosser_1986) November 26, 2017
On the way to hospital now. Fell down stairs in celebration. Keep chanting Alexis Sanchez baby in the waiting room. Will probably need stitches. CM
— Charlie Mustoe (@CM71_ARSENAL11) November 26, 2017
ALEXIS SANCHEZ BABY
Snatch and grab them 3points 🤙🏼
— ArsenalWay (@ArsenalWay) November 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/WelBeast/status/934811493891108864
https://twitter.com/PaulDonohoe74/status/934824582158209030
Couldn't watch, had to go into the kitchen and had my hands over my ears until safe to go back in! Love a last min winner!!! #coyg
— Andy Watson (@watsax1) November 26, 2017
Arsenal is rubbish under Wenger. Why must we rely on last minute penalty to beat a team like Burnley. What a shame! Ramsey, bellarin and co need be sold ASAP. They can barely control Ball
— Jagaban🇺🇸🇳🇬🌍🇨🇱 (@jagaban_dallas) November 26, 2017
Alexis Sanchez what a baller 🔥
— Tyler McGladdery (@tylermcgladd99) November 26, 2017
Alexis Sanchez walks around all game, won’t stop whining and clearly doesn’t give a crap about Arsenal anymore. Then he scores a penalty and runs over to the fans as though he is the new messiah. Two faced BTEC Kevin De Bruyne.
— George Poole (@GeorgePuddle) November 26, 2017
