How Arsenal beat Burnley 3-1 to draw level with Manchester City ...

Lapses of judgment put Arsenal in adverse situations more often than necessary.

Vieira’s mistimed challenge on Brownhill appeared to be a genuine mistake but was a sure red card nevertheless. Neither the 23-year-old, his team-mates, nor Arteta had much reaction when Michael Oliver sent him off.

Arsenal being two goals ahead with seven minutes of normal time remaining meant they were not in as much jeopardy as they could have been, but the issue goes beyond the final stages today against Burnley.

Midfield is an area where Arsenal need as many available players as possible, given the existing absences of Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey and Emile Smith Rowe. Vieira did not start today’s match, but his dismissal leaves Arteta with one less option when the season resumes in two weeks after the international break.

Further assessments may also be needed on Jorginho, who ended the game with a cut on his head, courtesy of a stray Saliba boot trying to block a shot.

As nobody outside Odegaard and Rice has made one of the No 8 roles their own this season, this may only increase the strain placed on Arsenal’s midfield in the winter months.