AHEAD AT THE TOP

Gyokeres and Rice complete Turf task for Gunners

- BY MARK WALKER

VIKTOR GYOKERES and Declan Rice struck first-half goals against Burnley as Premier League leaders Arsenal made it nine straight wins in all competitions.

Swedish striker Gyokeres struck the opener from a corner as the Gunners also improved on their league-leading set-piece goals tally before Rice's superb header put them 2-0 up at halftime.

The Gunners would have led by more at the break but for two saves from goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, who twice denied Bukayo Saka.

Burnley had won back-to-back league games to move five points clear of the bottom three prior to Arsenal's visit to Turf Moor, but were unable to lay a glove on the North Londoners and will move quickly on after a sixth defeat of the season.

After an uneventful opening, Arsenal took the lead in the 14th minute in trademark style from another expertly-taken corner by Rice.

The England midfielder's curling inswinger to the far post was played back across goal by Gabriel and Gyokeres nodded in from close range for his fourth league goal of the season and sixth in 17 appearances for the Gunners in all competitions.