Ben White survived an almighty scare as Arsenal hung on to claim a vital 1-0 win against Burnley on Saturday afternoon.
The £50 million summer signing from Brighton was the most relieved man in Turf Moor when the VAR overturned a Clarets penalty after confirming Aaron Ramsdale had in fact got a touch on the ball when challenging Matej Vydra.
It was White’s under-hit back pass which allowed the Czech striker to charge into the box, but fellow summer signing Ramsdale got a crucial touch on the ball with his right boot.
The Gunners came under intense pressure from the hosts in the second half after taking the lead thanks to a sumptuous free kick from Martin Odegaard.
Former Real Madrid starlet Odegaard left Nick Pope with no chance as he sent a left-footed effort into the far corner and spark wild celebrations amongst his teammates.
Having secured their first three points and scored their first goal of the season against Norwich City last weekend, the travelling fans from London had something to cheer about after a dour start to the season.
If they were any under any illusions about the difficulty of the task on hand in Lancashire, the inauspicious location of their changing rooms would have provided a timely reminder.
Due to Premier League Covid-19 regulations, the visitors were forced to get changed in a spare room as opposed to the regular away dressing room – a real flavour of Sunday League on display.
An aerial onslaught ensued from the hosts and Ashley Barnes almost profited after a long ball from Nick Pope fell favourably behind White, but the 31-year-old could only fire his volley over the bar.
Arsenal were playing well however and duly got their deserved lead on the half hour mark when Odegaard struck a centrally-located free kick to the right of the bemused Pope and sent the Arsenal fans into raptures.
Into the second half and Sean Dyche threw everything in order to rescue the game, with record signing Maxwel Cornet forcing a save from the impressive Ramsdale.
They nearly found the opportunity to equalise when fellow substitute Vydra was inadvertently played in by White’s under hit back pass and cleaned out by the former Sheffield United goalkeeper.
Anthony Taylor awarded a penalty, yet the video assistant referee confirmed the ‘keeper had got a touch on the ball and the decision was overturned.
The introduction of Jay Rodriguez threatened to spark panic in the Arsenal box, but the calming presence of Ramsdale at the back ensured they stayed strong and bring a vital three points back to the Emirates.
- A Tell / TalkSport report