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The Nairobian

5 things we learned as Gunners crash into FA Cup fifth round

Football

By Mirror | Jan 31, 2016

Alexis Sanchez was the matchwinner for the Gunners, netting a second-half winner on his first start since returning from injury.

1. Calum Chambers enjoys playing Burnley

Chambers scored his second goal of Arsenal . His first was also against Burnley in November 2014.

So, Chambers could be forgiven for asking Burnley: can we play you every week?

More importantly, Chambers played at right back. He was nice and solid, his goal was a lovely curling shot with the top corner.

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Chambers can play right-back, centre-back and holding midfielder. He is an excellent squad member.

2. Burnley make 4-4-2 work

Burnley and Sean Dyche won a lot of friends and admirers in the Premier League. Not least because they always tried to play football, it didn’t always come off, but they always tried to attack.

They came to the Emirates with two strikers in Sam Vokes and Andre Gray. Their movement and threat caused Arsenal problems.

Vokes’ towering header for Burnley’s equaliser was top quality and no more than he deserved.

3. David Ospina lacks height

This was Ospina’s first game for Arsenal since his nightmare in the Champions League against Olympiacos.

No-one has ever doubted Ospina’s ability as a shot stopper and a good reflex keeper.

But his height (I can’t believe he really is 6ft as the stats say) and lack of presence mean that he can leave Arsenal’s penalty area looking vulnerable.

Sure enough, opponents target high balls, crosses and set pieces. It was one of those high balls which allowed Sam Vokes to head home.

4. The FA Cup is useful for Arsenal

Mohamed Elneny was neat and tidy without being outstanding on his Arsenal debut.

He is clearly going to need time to settle in and adapt to English football as he looked a bit headless chicken at times.

Alex Iwobi is a bright prospect, has got great control and skill. But he couldn’t really get on the ball enough to influence the game. But played a part in Arsenal’s first two goals.

Arsenal were also to bring back Alexis Sanchez and Francis Coquelin to give them some match sharpness.

To that end, the FA Cup was useful rather than an unwanted distraction from bigger prizes.

5. Arsenal respond well to setbacks

After the defeat against Chelsea, Arsenal needed to regain some momentum. They couldn’t afford to lose against Burnley.

This should restore some confidence, get them bubbling again and also keep them in line to become the first team to win the FA Cup three times in a row since Blackburn in the 19th century.

They make a habit of responding well after body blows. Now their season nicely placed ahead of facing Southampton on Tuesday.