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.