Arsenal left no doubt about their Premier League title ambitions, thrashing Burnley 5-0 away from home, leaving Mikel Arteta delighted with what he saw.

Arsenal left no doubt about their Premier League title ambitions, thrashing Burnley 5-0 away from home.

The early Martin Odegaard goal paved the way for a dominant performance, setting the tone that set Arsenal on the way to scoring nine goals in their last two away games.

Bukayo Saka showed his coolness from the penalty spot – an area where Arsenal have excelled this season.

After halftime, Saka struck again, with Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz completing the rout.

Though a sixth goal proved elusive, this win makes Arsenal’s goal difference the best in the league.

They’re playing a confident, dominant brand of football as we enter the crunch period in the league and, speaking after the game, Mikel Arteta couldn’t have been happier.

Speaking to the BBC , Arteta said: “We are really pleased because it is a difficult place to come and Burnley have been very competitive in the big games they have played so far this season.

“Today we managed to break them down early in the game and made it look a little more comfortable but they are a team which digs in so much.

“Individually and collectively, the purpose they are playing with, the form the players are in, even at 3-0 4-0 they want more.

“The way they track back at 96 minutes tells you how they are feeling. It’s about maintaining momentum now.

“We are generating competition within the squad. They are a joy to work with, the way they train every day and apply themselves, and how they want to improve. They want more – that’s the good thing.

“At the moment all we can do is win our games and after our big two wins away from home we have a tough one in the Champions League at Porto.

“I hope we can do it [win the title] because we are there but it is about consistency and you see the standards of the other teams. We want it, that’s for sure.”

Mikel Arteta meets the press after Arsenal’s 5-0 thrashing of Burnley

Asked what his thoughts on another really impressive victory?

Really happy with the performance, with the result and the individual and collective contribution each player as well. That was very, very good. And the fact that the team looked like it wanted more. It wasn’t satisfied. They wanted to score more, they didn’t want to concede a goal. I’m really pleased to hit that consistency.

Asked if the domination pleased him more than the goals recently

Yeah. We want to dominate games and play in the opponents half as much as possible. I think the threat, the purpose, the activity and the connections of the players are flowing and they really want it. We have momentum now and we have to maintain it. Now we leave the Premier League, we go to Porto which will be a really tough environment, so just prepare to play well again and be ourselves.

When asked about Martin Odegaard’s recent form?

I think confidence-wise he’s in a really good moment. Physically as well the way he’s applied himself defending and attacking. The connection and the movement that he gives us on that right hand side it’s really good. He’s hitting form.

When asked how important is that you’re killing games when you dominate them?

We are showing a high efficiency in front of goal at the minute. You see the purpose when we’re playing that we always want to play forwards and be a threat. The players up front feel really connected at the moment. That’s a different story because it gives us much more tranquillity to finish the games off.

About Saka scoring another goal with his right foot

We try to make our players unpredictable. I’m sure that opponents are looking at us a lot and we have to find ways to create problems. He has got this ability and he trains a lot on many different situations when he is in and around the box. Today he had two brilliant finishes again.

Asked if Saka motivated to be on the same level as Foden and Mbappe?

I have no clue. That is a question for him but I don’t think Bukayo needs much motivation.

When it was put to him that he is ‘so mature at only 22 – is like a senior player?’

Yes, we don’t really see it [in football]. Especially forward players and wingers with that level of consistency and numbers. At his age it is something really strange to find but it is not a coincidence when you look at him every single day. The way he trains, the way he applies himself, the qualities that he has. And he can do more.

When asked if the criticism for over-celebrating the reason behind Odegaard cupping his ears?

I don’t know. I didn’t notice he made that gesture but he was really happy in the dressing room. The way he played again today he was exceptional. I don’t think he needs to send any message, I think he needs to be himself and so what he feels. If he feels something then do it, and then deal with the consequences. Some people are going to like it and some won’t but we really like it.

When asked about players ‘filling their boots’ an indicator of the team’s hunger?

We want more and we know how important it is to be up there in the goal difference. Every player that you bring [on], whether it is one minute or 30 minutes, the contribution they are willing to give to the team is really positive. Let’s keep doing it.