The Gunners' dead-ball situations produce such a level of planned disorder and unconventional thinking they could receive nominations for the Turner Prize. Rather, they are simply establishing them as top contenders for the English top flight title after increasing their advantage at the summit.
Headers from the Swedish striker and the England midfielder proved to be the deciding factor at Burnley's ground on what was a straightforward day in Lancashire. The hosts were unable to have a single effort on goal as Arsenal earned a fifth consecutive top-flight win, the past four keeping clean sheets.
"One more dead-ball olé olé," could be heard as the refrain resounding from the visiting supporters after a tough start against an energetic home side. Rice delivered the set-piece to the back post from where Gabriel Magalhães knocked the ball back to the centre of the goal and the forward headed home from close range for the Gunners' twelfth set-piece goal in the league this season.
From this point, Arsenal commanded the play. Every corner award resulted in a cheer from the travelling fans and a anxious silence from the majority at Turf Moor, fearing about what might happen. Great efforts were made to prevent Martin Dubravka from getting off his line to catch, and he succeeded to deflect one curling cross to safety from beneath the crossbar as the pressure mounted.
Burnley were unable to make it a contest, keeping all their players in defensive positions to make life as difficult as possible. Dubravka performed admirably against Bukayo Saka, when the attacker was clear through, to ensure the lead was kept at one.
Arsenal were beginning to break through, wearing them down from controlling play, with Bukayo Saka and the playmaker supplying the quickness to capitalize on the gaps. Saka saw one more attempt denied by Dubravka and the substitute had the follow-up stopped on the goal-line. Burnley were holding on and battling to achieve that.
In the end the next Arsenal strike did come from a launched ball, it simply occurred to be from the hosts. Arsenal cleared the ball and launched a fast attack, ending with Trossard chipping to the advancing midfielder to finally give the goalie no opportunity, shattering the host’s resolve in the process.
The Lancashire club did not have one attempt in the first half and the prospect of them getting into the match looked unlikely. Turf Moor was muted, accepting of their second successive Premier League loss at home since promotion, knowing their survival will not be decided by the fixture of opponents like Arsenal.
There was no pressing need to score again from Arsenal, perhaps with thoughts towards Tuesday’s trip to Slavia Prague, content to let Burnley have the ball. Arteta's team sailed through the second half, rightly confident Burnley lacked the calibre to score against them on their way to seventh straight shutout in all competitions.
Arsenal have always avoided defeat at this venue in the domestic league and their most recent triumph showed Mikel Arteta’s machine is equipped to navigate challenging fixtures with ease. The Gunners are not worried about the team in front of them but their rivals certainly are.
