Arsenal are on a roll. They have not tasted defeat in their last nine matches in all competitions. Across their last seven games, they have not shipped a single goal. In their last five matches, they have conceded just four shots on target.
Many laughed when the stat was revealed that they were on course to beat Chelsea’s remarkable record of 15 goals conceded in a single Premier League season but they truly are the most solid and reliable defensive outfit in Europe.
Mikel Arteta’s men have been imperious at the back over the last couple of campaigns, but they have, much to the dismay of opposing forward lines, got even better in 2025/26.
While Burnley were never going to pose Arsenal their toughest test of this season, they had to be wary as they travelled to Turf Moor.
Their second half display was a tired one but ultimately the Gunners left Lancashire with all three points, winning 2-0 courtesy of goals from Viktor Gyokeres and Declan Rice.
Gyokeres was withdrawn at half-time due to injury but up to that point he was brilliant, not just scoring but creating two big chances and supplying three key passes.
He was everywhere; it was the Swede’s most complete performance in an Arsenal shirt yet. However, there are two men who just continue to be at the centre of everything good the Gunners do.
Gabriel influences things again at Turf Moor
Can you name a better defender in Europe right now than Gabriel? Arguably not.
After Arsenal beat 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 ever been crowned the division’s best player in a campaign, but Gabriel certainly deserves to be in the conversation.
He is in the form of his life, scoring twice and registering three assists across his last eight games in all competitions.
While the 27-year-old did not find the net at Burnley, he did play another vital part in their win. Rice’s corner – of course it was – found the centre-back at the back post. He knocked the ball into the path of Gyokeres who from a few yards out found the net.
Gabriel has made a habit of popping up from set-pieces in recent years, but notably in the last couple of months has become more inspiring than ever. Who could forget that crashing late winner at St James’ Park?
While he always pops up in the final third, he’s a damn good defender too. Burnley didn’t pose a huge threat on Saturday but Arsenal’s number 6 was dominant nonetheless, completing 93% of his passes, winning 100% of his five duels and making a whopping nine clearances.
He’s clearly been one of Arsenal’s best players this season but has he been the best? The club’s record signing may have a thing or two to say about that.
Arsenal's most influential player vs Burnley
The likes of Gyokeres and Gabriel certainly stood out during Arsenal’s trip up north but the best player on the pitch by a country mile was Rice.
The £105m addition was merely a defensive midfielder when he signed from West Ham United in 2023 but he has taken his game to new levels, particularly during 2025.
No player has created more chances in the Premier League than Rice this calendar year and a large part of that has been due to his impeccable set-play delivery.
The England international was again on hand in that regard on Saturday, supplying the pre-assist from a corner for Gyokeres’ goal. It backed up claims in recent weeks that he is now one of the best over a dead ball. Indeed, Sky Sports reporter Sam Blitz stated after Rice popped up to assist the opening goal in the 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid that he is now “the best set-piece taker in world football.”
Yet, he’s not just a fine set-piece taker. He’s a goalscorer, a box crasher and one of the most well-rounded midfielders not just in the country, but in Europe. His display at Turf Moor was described as a “monster performance” by The Standard’s Simon Collings at full-time.
Minutes played
90
Touches
94
Accurate passes
63/69 (91%)
Key passes
2
Accurate crosses
2/6
Goals
1
Shots
1
Tackles won
5
Interceptions
3
Clearances
4
Recoveries
9
Duels won
9/14
Rice found the net with a brilliant header from Leandro Trossard’s first-half cross but his influence was felt far beyond that.
No player from either side registered more than his 94 touches and only William Saliba (80) completed more than Rice’s tally of 63 passes.
He also won nine of his 14 duels to cement himself as “one of the world’s best” in the words of Arsenal podcaster Rohan Jivan.
It’s rare a transfer fee that eclipses £100m feels like a bargain but in Rice’s case that certainly proves to be true. He is very much rivalling Gabriel for the honour of the best player in the Premier League this season.