Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka scores his second goal of the game against Burnley
Bukayo Saka has scored six goals in his last four Premier League away games
Bukayo Saka scored twice as Arsenal continued their blistering goalscoring form to thrash Burnley and close the gap at the top of the Premier League to two points.
Following their 6-0 win at West Ham last week Arsenal were soon among the goals again, captain Martin Odegaard opening the scoring on four minutes with a crisp strike into the bottom corner after Gabriel Martinelli’s pass.
Saka converted from the spot after Lorenz Assignon fouled Leandro Trossard in the box.
The England forward got his second just after the restart, latching on to a clever Odegaard pass then cutting inside and rifling a shot into the roof of the net.
Kai Havertz’s scuffed effort was blocked in the box but Trossard was alert to curl in for his third goal in as many league games.
Jakub Kiwior’s long throw down the line then found an unmarked Havertz, who ghosted in behind the defence and drilled past home goalkeeper James Trafford to complete a comprehensive win for the Gunners.
Arsenal, who have 21 goals in five straight wins, move two points behind leaders Liverpool, while Burnley remain in the relegation zone.
Arsenal have scored five or more goals in successive away league matches for the first time in their history
The Gunners, following up last week’s comprehensive win at London Stadium, have started a calendar year with five consecutive league wins for the first time in their history, and blew Burnley away with their slick football.
And the in-form Gunners may even have scored more at Turf Moor, with Trossard going close on two occasions before he eventually found the net.
Havertz continually caused problems by picking up pockets of space with his movement off the ball while Saka, Trossard and Martinelli interchanged in the box to regularly threaten.
Odegaard led by example, scoring his first goal since December 2 and providing the assist for Saka’s second strike.
Saka has scored in four consecutive league appearances for the first time in his career, netting six across those four games, more than in his previous 19 league games.
When Mikel Arteta’s side are on song, they are hard to stop.
Goalkeeper David Raya didn’t have a save to make as Arsenal kept consecutive top-flight clean sheets for just the second time this season.
Burnley were comprehensively beaten after putting in a dismal display at home, with manager Vincent Kompany watching despondently in the stands because of a touchline ban.
The Clarets did not attempt a shot on target in a match for the first time since Boxing Day and were under pressure from the first minute.
Kompany’s side have conceded 26 first-half goals in 25 games, more than any other team in the Premier League this season.
Being caught out by a long throw for Arsenal’s fifth goal and failing to track Havertz’s run into the box summed up the woeful defending that means Burnley – seven points from safety – are fighting against the odds to remain in the division.
To compound their misery, midfielder Aaron Ramsey was carried off on a stretcher after suffering a seemingly serious knee injury and requiring oxygen in the 63rd minute.