Arteta hails Xhaka, explains three ways Arsenal can improve attack

Will Ford

Mikel Arteta hailed the performance of Granit Xhaka in Arsenal’s 0-0 draw with Burnley and picked out three ways his side can improve on the ball.

Burnley perhaps edged a very even game at Turf Moor, with Jay Rodriguez coming closest as his shot fired off the line and onto the Arsenal line.

Arteta was pleased with the “resilience” Arsenal showed in defence but insisted they needed to improve their quality on the ball, the calmness of their approach and their end product.

Arteta told Match of the Day 2: “In periods of the game, yes I liked it, but in other periods I did not. We started to give free-kicks, throw-ins, corners away and in that they are better than us.

“I learned a lot about the resilience we showed in defence and also that we need to improve the quality of our play, be calmer and improve the end product.

“They are very good at chipping the ball forward, the best way to stop it is to have control of the ball.

“It did disturb the way we wanted to attack but it’s not an excuse. Granit [Xhaka] played there and did well.

“In the offensive part of our game, we have to do better for longer periods of the game.”