Declan Rice has praised his Arsenal centre-backs, saying that they defend like their lives depend on it as another clean sheet was registered in the 2-0 win at Burnley.
The victory was their ninth in succession and seventh in a row in all competitions that Arsenal have claimed while recording a clean sheet as well. It is only the second time they have done so, after a similar run of seven between September and October 1987.
Burnley had scored five goals in their past two matches but their first shot came in the 71st minute and they did not manage one on target. That is the fourth time in Arsenal's last five matches in all competitions where they have stopped their opponents having a shot on target.
The last time Arsenal conceded a goal in any competition was 28 September as the win sent them seven points clear at the top of the table.
“You’ve got two centre-halves and two full-backs who live and breathe defending and every duel means something to them,” Rice told the BBC.
Rice doubled Arsenal’s lead with a first-half header in a move that started with a headed clearance from Arsenal centre-half Gabriel Magalhaes from a Burnley long throw.
“If you even look at my goal, we’re defending a long throw, but big Gabi [Gabriel Magalhaes], he heads the ball like his life depends on it and we break," Rice said.
"I think when teams play against us, they get set and try to keep a lot of people behind the ball. But in those moments when the game opens up and we can stretch teams, we took advantage of that today. It was a big moment, but the back four they are something special.”
Rice himself received praise from his manager Mikel Arteta after an all-round display, especially as Burnley applied more pressure in the second half.
"He stepped up,” Arteta said. “I don't know how many balls and tackles he won in total. It is the evolution of a player."
Watch Rice's star performance for Arsenal at Burnley
Rice bosses Burnley - Arsenal midfielder's match stats
| Category | Total | Rank |
| Touches | 94 | 1st |
|---|---|---|
| Passes played into box | 7 | 1st |
| Crosses | 7 | 1st |
| Carry distance | 275.8m | 1st |
| Tackles | 5 | 1st |
| Interceptions | 3 | 1st |
| Duels won | 9 | !st |
| Possession won | 9 | 1st |
As for Rice’s goal celebration, pointing to the sky, he said it was in tribute to his aunt.
"My auntie passed away before the Fulham game,” he said. “I loved her to death. She travelled everywhere to watch me with my mum. I know she is watching down, so that was for her today."
Stats on Arsenal’s impressive defence
- Arsenal have kept a clean sheet in seven consecutive matches in all competitions for the first time since doing so between March and April 1999 (also a run of seven)
- In the club’s history, only between April and October 1903 have the Gunners kept more successive shutouts in all competitions (eight in a row)
- There have been five instances of a side preventing their opponent from having a shot on target in a Premier League game this season, with Arsenal responsible for three of those, against West Ham United, Fulham and Burnley