Sanchez lights up Emirates as Arsenal subdue Burnley

TWO goals by Arsenal striker Alexis Sanchez and a third from Calum Chambers consigned visitors Burnley to yet another defeat and secured The Gunners’ continued presence in the top four.

But it was the arrival of a substitute which raised the biggest cheer of the afternoon. Theo Walcott was sent on for the last 10 minutes. His first appearance in an Arsenal shirt since January raised the roof at the Emirates.

With Sanchez playing behind Danny Welbeck, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the wing, it was not that the home side lacked pace. Quick and busy, Sanchez was constantly involved. Linking well with Chambers, Oxlade-Chamberlain galloped and charged. Welbeck might have opened the scoring as early as the 13th minute when, after a brilliant, light-footed run across the face of goal, his reverse shot beat the Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton, but hit the back-pedalling Kieran Trippier on the shoulder.

Indeed, watching from the edge of his technical area, Arsene Wenger would have been relieved how many chances his team were creating. The problem was converting opportunities. Arsenal’s failure to take advantage of their superiority almost had dramatic consequence after half an hour. George Boyd made a purposeful run across midfield and played in Scott Arfield behind Chambers. His through ball appeared to be heading on to Marvin Sordell’s toe as he arrived on the penalty spot. But Mathieu Flamini, back-pedalling at speed, just flicked the ball back to Szczesny.

Inevitably it was Sanchez who soothed the mounting blood pressure. On 70 minutes, Chambers swung a beautifully inviting cross into the Burnley area. Arriving late, Sanchez headed the ball past Heaton.

A minute later Chambers himself got rewarded for his effort. Cazorla’s corner was met by Welbeck, whose shot was saved by a combination of goalkeeper and defenders. The ball bounced down for Chambers to smash it gleefully into the net.

Thereafter it was all fun for the home crowd. Sanchez strolled into the penalty area to meet Gibbs’s cross to round off the rout.

Liverpool, meanwhile, will hold contract talks with Steven Gerrard over the coming weeks to reassure their captain they want him to extend his career at Anfield, but the former England midfielder may be forced to ac- cept a reduced playing role before committing to a new deal.

Brendan Rodgers has made it clear to Gerrard he wants him at the club beyond this season, and that will be relayed by the club hierarchy to prevent the 34-year-old moving elsewhere.

Back on the field, secondplaced Southampton beat Hull City 1-0, with Victor Wanyama crashing home a 40m shot after three minutes as the Saints won for the 10th time in 11 matches in all competitions.

West Ham came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.

Everton and Swansea City drew 0-0 at Goodison Park while West Bromwich Albion won 1-0 at Leicester City with an own goal from Esteban Cambiasso.

Crystal Palace play Sunderland tomorrow. — ©