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Reuters
Reuters
Sport

Two out of two for Arsenal as Aubameyang sinks stubborn Burnley

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Burnley - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - August 17, 2019 Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/David Klein

LONDON (Reuters) - Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang grabbed the winner as Arsenal overcame a stubborn Burnley to maintain their winning start in the Premier League with a 2-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

It was the first time in 10 years that Arsenal have won their first two league games of a season and manager Unai Emery was delighted with the team's performance.

"We can be happy. Our idea, our gameplan on the pitch was knowing it was going to be tough because we need to adapt," the Spaniard told reporters.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Burnley - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - August 17, 2019 Arsenal's Matteo Guendouzi in action with Burnley's Jay Rodriguez Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

"A lot of moments we couldn't impose our gameplan because they pushed and their gameplan was a struggle for us."

Alexandre Lacazette put the Gunners ahead in the 13th minute collecting a low corner from Dani Ceballos and showing great strength to turn marker Erik Pieters before driving through the legs of Burnley keeper Nick Pope.

Burnley responded well, however, and drew level two minutes before the break when a low effort from Dwight McNeil fell to Ashley Barnes in the box and the Clarets striker kept his composure to claim his third goal of the season.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Burnley - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - August 17, 2019 Arsenal's Nicolas Pepe shoots at goal REUTERS/David Klein

Emery brought on club record signing, 72 million pound winger Nicolas Pepe at the break and the home side put Burnley under real pressure.

Pope did well to keep out efforts from Aubameyang and the hugely impressive Ceballos and it was that pair who combined for the winner.

Ceballos won the ball in the Burnley half and fed the Gabonese forward who burst goalwards before cutting inside and beating Pope with a fine drive.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Burnley - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - August 17, 2019 Arsenal's Nicolas Pepe in action with Burnley's Dwight McNeil REUTERS/David Klein

Substitute Lucas Torreira had a chance to make it 3-1 in stoppage time but the Uruguayan midfielder's shot from inside the penalty area was blocked by Pope.

Burnley continued to push for an equaliser but Arsenal hung on to close out the win.

"We've started with two victories, last year we lost two," Emery added. "Our challenge is each match. We're happy with six points. Next week we are against Liverpool, a big challenge.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Burnley - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - August 17, 2019 Arsenal's Dani Ceballos in action with Burnley's Erik Pieters REUTERS/David Klein

"Being realistic, (it) is going to be tough."

Burnley boss Sean Dyche said a few key moments in the second half had proved to be the difference between the two teams.

"We gave a good performance and in the second half they got more of a foothold," he said. "We've come away disappointed in a few moments that changed the game."

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Burnley - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - August 17, 2019 Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette celebrates scoring their first goal with Dani Ceballos and Ainsley Maitland-Niles Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Burnley - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - August 17, 2019 Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/David Klein

(Reporting by Simon Evans; Editing by Christian Radnedge)

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Burnley - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - August 17, 2019 Arsenal's Sokratis Papastathopoulos in action with Burnley's Chris Wood REUTERS/David Klein
Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Burnley - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - August 17, 2019 Burnley's Ashley Barnes scores their first goal REUTERS/David Klein
Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Burnley - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - August 17, 2019 Arsenal's Joe Willock in action with Burnley's Ashley Westwood Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra
Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Burnley - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - August 17, 2019 Arsenal's Sokratis Papastathopoulos in action with Burnley's Chris Wood REUTERS/David Klein
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