That Burnley game didn’t throw out too many surprises. Burnley’s ‘keeper Heaton had a brilliant game and if it wasn’t for his heroics, the scoreline would have been a lot different. Alexis Sanchez was the MOTM, as per usual. His leap for the first goal was super-human. Wenger later described it as a very “English goal”.

I think we had about 30 crosses today and for a while couldn’t win every header but in the end he got there. The header he scored is more the result of the determination and desire than doing something special technically. He has the attributes of a fighter, and a quality, talent player. Since he has played through the middle, he looks more goal dangerous because he is in full confidence, is physically strong, likes to take people on as well and makes good runs. It was an English goal. Did I expect that? Not really. I didn’t count on him in the air at all but I know by experience it’s more about desire. He has that and he’s a winner. He finds the resources to get you a goal when it’s 0-0, that’s what is important. It’s always very interesting when you look at the number of goals people score – how many times do they score at 0-0? They’re the guys who can really make the difference. He’s already had a lot of decisive goals and he doesn’t score when it’s 4-0, he scores when it’s 0-0.

Santi Cazorla was abused on Twitter for his lack of finishing, with people stating that he is out of form and must be dropped. A closer look at the stats from the Burnley game showed that he had 95% passing accuracy and played 5 key passes, more than anyone else in red and white. As is the case these days, people always tend to over-exaggerate the good and bad performance on social media. One or two bad games? Drop him! Three good games? Make him captain! We’ve all been guilty of it and while Santi’s finishing was poor on the day, he doesn’t deserve the criticism he is currently getting. I’m sure he will find his shooting boots sooner rather than later and convert chances, as he did so often last season.

Theo Walcott finally returned on the pitch for Arsenal! How everyone felt about his cameo was summed up by the manner in which the Ox left the field. As he jogged off, Chambo had a huge grin from ear to ear and applauded for Theo before stepping off. Needless to say, Theo’s pace and finishing are important assets to the team and they’ve been dearly missed. After the game, the Ox had a few words to say about the joy he got from seeing his mentor Theo return, Alexis’s current form, and Per being the team’s enforcer. Wenger is being cautious with how he brings Theo back to full match-fitness and form; he stated:

If he wants to go with England next week, I’m happy for him to go and practice and maybe get a few minutes. Mentally, it will help him. Is he completely ready? I think it is a bit early but to be in the squad will be good for him. The battle is not won. After 10 months out you have ups and downs. I do not want to make a big mistake.

Calum Chambers can do no wrong for Arsenal at the moment and against Burnley, he got his first goal for us. He spoke of how it was a proud moment for him and that he needs to continue getting forward to have chances of creating and scoring goals on the regular from the right-back position.

“It is [a dream],” Chambers told Arsenal Player. “Scoring doesn’t come often as a defender so to finally get my first goal is a good feeling and I was very happy with my celebration. I was trying to push forward a lot more and I want to try and add that to my game at full back. I want to get more assists and goals and, for that to happen, I have to get forward more.”

Lukas Podolski had yet another solid cameo against Burnley where he almost broke Heaton’s arm and then the post. Legend has it that the post is still shaking to this day. He has shown what a real professional he is with the following tweet:

My colours are 🔴 & ⚪️ once a Gooner, always a Gooner. Let's keep fighting & my time will come. Thanks… http://t.co/hIuyXyIzBE — Lukas-Podolski.com (@Podolski10) November 2, 2014

The last time Arsenal faced Anderlecht in Belgium, they proved to be an extremely tough proposition. They defended well and attacked us on the counter-attack at every chance. Since then however, Arsenal seem to have found their fluency again thanks partly to the midfield base of Arteta and Flamini. In a previous DialSquare article, I speculated whether using Flamini and Arteta together at the base of the midfield was formation that Wenger had decided on. The Burnley game was a confirmation of that. Wenger finally seems to have struck a balance between defense and using our attacking players to full effect. Whether this will be a long-term solution and if it works against stronger opponents, is yet to be seen.

Chambo has been saying the right things ahead of Anderlecht’s visit to ensure that the team is fully focused on getting the job done.

The main thing for us is to focus on the next one against Anderlecht, so we need to make sure we go into that game and focus. We don’t think we’re out of the woods by any stretch of the imagination.

After seeing the manner in the which the last match against Anderlecht unfolded, Arsenal can not afford to be complacent by any means. Jack is nearing full fitness again following a minor knee injury that kept him out of the Burnley game but the game against Anderlecht may come a day too early for him. With Santi misfiring, will Wenger hand Ramsey a chance to play at the #10 position in front of Arteta and Flamini? Ramsey needs to be given minutes if he to get back to the form of last season, where he was playing at completely another level – something, which Alexis seems to be doing with ease these days. Given the fact that Wenger is being extremely cautious with Theo’s return, it seems highly unlikely that he will take part in the game against Anderlecht. He should be given plenty of rest ahead of this weekend, where he can be expected to play another cameo.

Here’s the DialSquare predicted line-up:

Szczesny

Chambers – Per – Monreal – Gibbs

Arteta – Flamini

Ox – Rambo – Alexis

Dat Guy

Result: 2-0 to the Arsenal

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