this it, Ramsey strikes early as Gunners slide by Clarets

     Aaron Ramsey powered home a goal in the 12th minute and Arsenal lulled Burnley to sleep the rest of the way to hold on for all three points at Turf Moor.

      Both teams had early chances in the opening six minutes, as Ashley Barnes beat Per Mertesacker on a counter but had no help and was smothered by Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina, and on the other end a ball fell to Alexis Sanchez in the box but he lashed an awkward shot well high.The home side put in a spirited game and never seemed out of the game, but the Clarets were unable to get by Arsenal’s stout defending that smothered the Burnley midfield and isolated its strikers.

               The Gunners built themselves a solid spell of possession as the clock wound down, and while they hardly threatened the Burnley goal they kept the Clarets from holding any kind of possession. Ings had a late opportunity in the Arsenal penalty area but failed to get a shot off despite powering his way through the defense.

The Arsenal win brings it four points within Chelsea, although the Blues hold a pair of games in hand. More importantly, it sends the Gunners four points clear of Manchester City with the Citizens set to play the Manchester derby tomorrow. For Burnley, it fails to keep pace with earlier winners Leicester City, and are now just a point above the Foxes at the bottom of the table.