Aubameyang lifts Arsenal, Liverpool survive despite keeper’s blunder
Arsenal’s French striker Alexandre Lacazette (R) celebrates with Arsenal’s Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (L) after scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Burnley at the Emirates Stadium in London on August 17, 2019. (Photo by Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored the winner as Arsenal defeated Burnley to record successive wins at the start of a Premier League campaign for the first time since 2009.
French striker Alexandre Lacazette marked his return from injury as he impressively held off Erik Pieters and shot between the legs of goalkeeper Nick Pope to put the Gunners ahead after 13 minutes.
Ashley Barnes leveled the match two minutes before half-time, converting at close-range from Dwight McNeil’s deflected pass for his third goal in two matches.
The hosts, who handed full debuts to £8m defender David Luiz and Real Madrid loanee Dani Ceballos, saw an immediate response ruled out for offside after Reiss Nelson appeared to have completed a slick passing move with a confident finish into the roof of the net.
But the impressive 23-year-old Ceballos recovered possession to set up Aubameyang for a powerful, low finish with 64 minutes played.
Burnley goalkeeper Pope made a series of fine saves to keep the Clarets alive, but he was unable to prevent his side losing a 10th straight league meeting with the Gunners.
Meanwhile, Liverpool beat Southampton to secure an 11th successive top-flight victory and equal their best-ever Premier League winning run – despite a late blunder by goalkeeper Adrian.
With the European champions leading 2-0, Liverpool’s number two keeper – starting in place of the injured Alisson – cleared the ball against the shin of substitute Danny Ings to gift the Saints striker a goal against his former club.
Sadio Mane had given Liverpool the lead at the end of the first half with a delicious arrowed finish from the edge of the penalty area after Saints had gone close on three occasions.
Adrian, who was passed fit to play after an ankle injury in a collision with a pitch invader following Liverpool’s Uefa Super Cup win over Chelsea in midweek, had kept out Maya Yoshida’s header while Che Adams then spurned two chances to equalise.
Roberto Firmino doubled Liverpool’s advantage with a clever finish and that proved to be crucial given Adrian’s mistake in the closing stages.
Adrian’s error could have been even more costly for the Reds because in a dramatic finale Ings wasted a great chance to equalise inside the six-yard area.
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