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Three goals, two games and one grime song - Ashley Barnes has had a busy opening week to the Premier League season.

The Burnley striker slotted home the Clarets equaliser against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium but the home side hit back to claim a 2-1 win.

Nonetheless Barnes proved one again that he is a striker that can cause problems for the top flight defences up and down the land.

Former Turf striker Peter Crouch touted him for England in the build up to the weekend clash and there can be little doubt that Barnes is one of a kind.

The trip to the capital on Saturday saw the striker renew his running battle with David Luiz, who has joined the Gunners from Chelsea over the summer, as well as Matteo Guendouzi and Sokratis.

The Greek defender and Barnes enjoyed a tussle or two in the corresponding fixture last term while Barnes and Guendouzi don't see eye to eye - the Gunners midfielder celebrating an Arsenal goal in the win at Turf Moor in May by getting in the face of the Clarets forward.

It was Luiz who Barnes got the better of first, staying alert when Dwight McNeil's cross shot came to him in the box to finish while the Brazilian was caught out playing the 29-year-old onside.

Barnes was an outlet for Burnley throughout and held the ball up and linked the play to good effect. His effectiveness stems from his ability to create uncertainty in defences. He has a first touch that belies his reputation as a flat track bully while his ratio of shots to goals is right up there.

He is a graduate of non league football, if you don't stand up for yourself in the blood and thunder of the lower levels then you don't get far.

And Barnes has come a long way, his willingness to get involved in almost every facet of play might just be someone who is enjoying every minute of being a Premier League footballer.

He doesn't feel pressure, he goes out and enjoys his game, the game, and plays everyone like it might be his last.

No half measures, no half heartedness.

Off the pitch the Clarets striker is cool and calm. On it he is canny and capable.

He's loved by the Burnley fans and you can see why, he's a player you want in the trenches alongside you.

Back to Saturday.

Sokratis, perhaps wisely, stayed out of Barnes' way but the Burnley man managed to have a couple of clashes with his other Arsenal adversaries.

He fouled Guendouzi early in the second half and they crossed paths again late on while Luiz, who spoke about a mutual respect between the pair after the game, was penalised for felling the Burnley striker in the closing stages.

Then a new name crossed off the Barnes Christmas card list.

Saed Kolasinic, who has made headlines for tackling armed robbers over the summer, brazenly ran straight across Barnes' path and the Clarets striker responded by manhandling him out of the way.

A yellow for Barnes, Dyche's view: "He just deals with it accordingly by saying 'just get out of the way' It is as simple as that."

See you at Turf Moor in February, Arsenal.