Scott Parker believes Arsenal have everything they need to win the Premier League this year, insisting the Gunners are a top team in every regard.
Arsenal came out 2-0 winners from a trip to Turf Moor on Saturday, keeping a long run of clean sheets going and picking up another three points to go seven points clear at the top of the Premier League – at least until Bournemouth, Sunderland, and Manchester City play their games in hand.
Speaking after his team’s defeat, Burnley boss Scott Parker argued that Arsenal have everything in place to be a title-winning side this season.
“They are just a very, very good team,” Parker said. “They are a team that, I believe, have every single ingredient to go on and win the league this year. In every facet of their game: defensively, attacking-wise, set plays. They are a top, top team. And we just fell a little bit short today.”
Parker had said something similar prior to the match, hitting back at attempts by journalists to push him to suggest Arsenal are reliant on set-pieces.
“I’m not sure I see it like that,” Parker said. “When I’m watching them, I see a fluid team really, I see an unbelievably well-coached team that solve situations.
“This is definitely not a team that just rely on set plays now. Obviously over the course of the start of this season there’s been key moments where they’ve got wins from set plays. [But] this is a well-oiled team and a functional team that are very fluid in the way they play really.”
Of course, Arsenal did take the lead in the game through a set-piece, their first of the afternoon. But the second goal stemmed from a Burnley set-piece, as Kyle Walker’s failed long-throw attempt prompted a counter-attacking goal finished by Declan Rice.
Contrary to some of the recent reporting, Arsenal can do both, and that combined with an excellent defensive record is what has Arteta’s side top of the division.