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ARSENAL EXTEND FINE FORM WITH BURNLEY WIN

Arsenal extend their lead at the top with a 2-0 win at Burnley. First-half goals from Viktor Gyokeres and Declan Rice seal a ninth straight victory and a seventh clean sheet in 11 league games.

Arsenal extend fine form with Burnley win
Declan Rice - Photo Credit: Getty Images

With goals from Declan Rice and Viktor Gyokeres in the first half, Arsenal defeated Burnley 2-0 to increase their advantage at the top of the Premier League and record nine consecutive victories in all competitions.

Before Rice's incredible header put them ahead 2-0 at halftime, Mikel Arteta's team also improved on their league-leading set-piece goal total, with Gyokeres scoring the first goal from a corner.

Martin Dubravka, the goalie, made two saves to deny Bukayo Saka twice, which would have given the Gunners a larger lead at halftime.

Before Arsenal's arrival, Burnley had won consecutive league games to pull five points clear of the bottom three. However, they were unable to defeat the Londoners and will soon move on following their sixth loss of the year.

Following a lacklustre start, Rice's skilful corner kick in the 14th minute gave Arsenal the lead in typical fashion.

Gabriel sent back across goal the England midfielder's curling inswinger to the far post, and Gyokeres nodded in from close range for his fourth league goal of the year and sixth in 17 games for the Gunners in all competitions.

It marked a period of concentrated pressure for the visitors and was Arsenal's 12th goal from a set piece this season, excluding penalties, more than any other top-flight opponent.

When Maxime Esteve stumbled and Dubravka saved in a one-on-one with Saka, they were denied a second.

After a quick change of possession in midfield, Saka was then denied by an even greater stop by the Slovakian goalkeeper, then Quilindschy Hartman and Axel Tuanzebe blocked Leandro Trossard's goalbound attempt on the line.

After clearing a Burnley throw-in deep in their own half and quickly pushing the ball wide for Trossard, who then had a smashing header from Rice into the top corner, Arsenal surged upfield to score their second goal in the 35th minute.

Burnley did not put up a single attempt on goal in the first half, and Arsenal deserved it all.

After the break, Dubravka easily stopped Trossard's low drive, and Burnley had more possession in the second half as the Gunners were happy to drop deeper, already focused on Tuesday's Champions League match in Prague.

Burnley's first attempt on goal came in the 73rd minute when Esteve's flick-on went over the crossbar and was headed by Florentino Luis.

Before Marcus Edwards' free kick from Burnley struck a post deep in stoppage time, Christian Norgaard's late attempt was blocked by Dubravka, and Arsenal substitute Ethan Nwaneri's shot went just wide.

Arsenal, who last gave up a goal in any competition in a 2-1 victory over Newcastle in September, has now picked up three more points and their seventh clean sheet in 11 league games this season.

BETTER THAN MARTINELLI: WHY ARSENAL LEADS THE £88M RACE FOR KENAN YıLDıZ

Arsenal leads the race for Juventus star Kenan Yıldız. Is the £88m wonderkid the key to unlocking Arteta's stalling attack?

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Is Kenan Yıldız the £88m upgrade over Martinelli Arsenal needs

Arsenal is leading both the Premier League and Champions League right now, but their play hasn't been great lately.

One reason could be tiredness. They've had some really tough games in the past month or so.

Plus, injuries have forced Mikel Arteta to keep changing his defence for each game.

But a bigger worry is their attack just doesn't flow as well. Bukayo Saka is still playing great, but Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli haven't been. There are whispers Arsenal might want to find someone better than Martinelli next month.

Arsenal Eyes Yıldız to Boost Attack

Arsenal has had one of the best defences in the Premier League for years, but they don't score the most goals.

This is the place for transfer news and opinions.

Last year, they scored 17 fewer goals than Liverpool. The year before, they scored five fewer than Manchester City.

Getting Gyokeres this summer was supposed to fix that, but he's struggling to score. It seems like Arsenal wants another player on the left side to help out.

A report from Caught Offside says Arsenal is still very keen on Kenan Yıldız.

The story says Arsenal is 'leading the interest' and trying to get him because his contract talks with Juventus have stopped. Chelsea is also interested.

The report also mentions Arsenal has spoken directly with Yıldız's agent, Jorge Mendes.

The price is unknown, but earlier reports said it might take around £88m to get Juventus to sell.

It would be an expensive deal, but Yıldız is worth the effort because he's better than Martinelli.

Yıldız vs. Martinelli: By the Numbers

Yıldız can play well in different positions, whether on the right or in the middle.

Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke are on the right, and Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze play in the middle. It seems like Yıldız's best spot on the Arsenal team would be on the left.

That means he'd be competing with Martinelli, and he'd probably win based on their stats.

Last year, Yıldız, who is 20, scored 12 goals and had nine assists in 52 games. That's a goal involvement every 2.47 games.

Martinelli scored ten goals and got six assists in 51 games. That's a goal involvement every 3.18 games, which isn't as good.

This season, Martinelli has seven goal involvements in 18 games, which is one every 2.57 games. Still not as good.

Yıldız has 12 goal involvements in 21 games, which is one every 1.75 games. He himself even said he's considered one of the best talents in Europe.

Even the underlying numbers say Yıldız is better. According to FBref, he's ahead in non-penalty goals plus assists, shots and goal-creating actions, ball recoveries, successful take-ons, and other stats, all per 90 minutes.

Martinelli is a good player who can still help Arsenal this season. But if Arsenal can sign Yıldız, they should do it. He's clearly better in almost every way.

VERDICT DELAY: MANCHESTER CITY'S 115 CHARGES STILL UNDER REVIEW, REPORT CONFIRMS

A former advisor argues the panel, not the club or the league, is causing the surprising delay in the verdict for Manchester City's 115 financial rule breaches.

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Why Is the 115 Premier League Charges Verdict Stalled

Manchester City's annual report touched on the 115 Premier League charges against them. The club is accused of breaking financial rules over nine years, from 2009 to 2018.

A hearing happened a year ago, yet City and the rest of English football are still waiting for the verdict. The commission hasn't made any public announcements.

Last month, Stefan Borson, a former financial advisor, said a decision was coming soon, maybe even before Christmas. He told talkSPORT, I think it still could come out before Christmas.

The city mentioned in their annual report that the commission is still looking into the matter.

The report stated, "The Club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent commission to impartially consider the irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position." As of the date of publishing these financial statements, the independent commission is still reviewing the matter.

Based on their evaluation of the Group's prospects and viability, the Directors confirm that they have a reasonable expectation that the Group will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities within 12 months following the approval of these financial statements.

So, the financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.

Borson also thinks neither the city nor the Premier League is at fault for the long delay.

He noted that everyone, even those involved, expected a verdict by now. All the lawyers are surprised that there has been no decision at this stage.

Borson says the panel making the decision is the one holding things up. They are the people whom everybody waits for to deliver the decision. He added that there is little guidance given to them, and they weren't paid for their time from the moment the case ended.

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