Arsenal are in great shape. They have not tasted defeat in their last nine matches in any competition. They haven’t scored a single goal in their last seven games. Over the past five games, they have allowed just four shots on target.
Many laughed when the statistic was revealed that they were on track to break Chelsea’s astonishing record of conceding 15 goals in a single Premier League season, but they truly are the most solid and reliable defender in Europe.
Mikel Arteta’s side have been intimidating at the back of the table in recent seasons, but they have improved even more in 2025/26, despite disappointing the opposition up front.
Burnley were not looking to pose Arsenal’s biggest test of the season, but they had to be cautious when heading to Turf Moor.
It was a tiring second half, but in the end the Gunners won 2-0 with goals from Victor Gokeres and Declan Rice, leaving Lancashire with all three points.
Gokeres was forced to withdraw at half-time due to injury, but up until that point he had been outstanding, not only scoring but also creating two big chances and supplying three important passes.
He was everywhere. It was the Swede’s most complete performance ever in an Arsenal shirt. But there are two men who remain at the heart of all the Gunners’ achievements.
Gabriel makes an impact again on Turf Moor
Can you name a better defender than Gabriel in Europe right now? Probably not.
After Arsenal’s defeat of Crystal Palace a week ago, Jamie Carragher commented that the big Brazilian was the most influential player in the Premier League.
Only three defenders – Virgil van Dijk, John Terry and Paul McGrath – have been named the division’s player of the season so far, but Gabriel definitely deserves to be included in the conversation.
He is in great form, scoring two goals and providing three assists in his last eight games in all competitions.
The 27-year-old didn’t find the back of the net against Burnley, but he played another key role in the win. Rice’s corner kick, of course it was, found the centre-back at the back post. He smashed the ball into the path of Gokeres, who slotted it into the net from a few yards out.
Gabriel has become accustomed to popping up from set-pieces in recent years, but he has been more inspired than ever in recent months in particular. Who can forget that late crash winner at St James’ Park?
He always appears in the final third and is also a very good defender. Burnley didn’t pose much of a threat on Saturday, but Arsenal’s No. 6 was still a dominant force, completing 93% of his passes, winning 100% of his five duels and making a whopping nine clearances.
It’s clear he’s one of Arsenal’s best players this season, but is he? of The best? The club’s record signing might have something to say about that.
Arsenal’s most influential player vs Burnley
Players like Gokeres and Gabriel certainly stood out during Arsenal’s trip north, but Rice was the best player by a mile on the pitch.
The £105m addition meant he was just a defensive midfielder when he signed from West Ham United in 2023, but has taken his game to a new level, particularly in 2025.
No player has created more chances in the Premier League this year than Rice, and a large part of that has been down to his perfect set-piece delivery.
The England international was active in that regard on Saturday as well, providing the opening assist for Gokeres’ goal from a corner kick. This confirmed his claims in recent weeks that he is now one of the best players against dead balls. In fact, Sky Sports reporter Sam Blitz said Rice was now “the best set-piece taker in world football” after he assisted the opening goal in a 4-0 win against Atletico Madrid.
But he’s more than just a good set-piece player. He is a goalscorer, a box crusher and one of the most well-rounded midfielders not only in the country but also in Europe. His performance at Turf Moor was described as a “monster performance” by Simon Collings of Fulltime’s The Standard.
rice vs burnley | |
|---|---|
Play time (minutes) | 90 |
touch | 94 |
exact path | 63/69 (91%) |
key pass | 2 |
accurate cross | 2/6 |
the goal | 1 |
shot | 1 |
tackle win | 5 |
intercept | 3 |
clearance | 4 |
collect | 9 |
won a duel | 9/14 |
Statistics by Sofascore. | |
Rice found the back of the net with a stunning header from Leandro Trossard’s cross in the first half, but his impact went far beyond that.
No player on either team had more than Rice’s 94 touches, but only William Saliba (80) completed more than Rice’s 63 passes.
He also won nine of his 14 matches and established himself as “one of the best players in the world,” in the words of Arsenal podcaster Rohan Jivan.
Transfer fees of over £100m rarely feel like a bargain, but in Rice’s case that definitely proves to be true. He is in great contention with Gabriel for the honor of being the Premier League’s best player this season.
