Arsenal strengthened their grip on second place as Aaron Ramsey scored the only goal in a 1-0 win at relegation-threatened Burnley.
Ramsey's first-half strike allowed the Gunners to record an eighth straight league victory and cut the gap on Chelsea to just four points, although the leaders still have games in hand. With the two Manchester sides playing each other in the derby clash there is a guarantee of dropped points from at least one of them, which strengthens Arsenal's cause.
The result also meant that the visitors completed a league double over their Lancashire opponents, who remain in the bottom three, following November's 3-0 victory at the Emirates.
Arsenal started brightly in a first half without too much goal-mouth action as Alexis Sanchez's free-kick forced a save out of Tom Heaton inside the opening two minutes. The hosts also spurned an early chance to break the deadlock as Sam Vokes burst into the box. Fortunately for Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina was alert to the danger and reacted quickly to save his effort.
It was a case of third time lucky when Arsenal opened the scoring after 11 minutes. Mesut Ozil saw his effort saved by Heaton and Sanchez's follow-up was blocked but Ramsey, who was making his 150th appearance for the Gunners, was on hand to rifle home from close range.
Burnley were showing plenty of hunger and desire but didn't do too much to really trouble Arsenal who, in truth, looked comfortable on the ball despite not showing much urgency to try and add to their lead.
Although they didn't have too many chances in the opening 45 minutes, the Clarets very nearly levelled the scores soon after Ramey's goal. Kieran Trippier's free-kick looked goal-bound before Ospina dived to his right to palm it away superbly.
Arsene Wenger's men didn't create too many chances either and the closest they came to doubling their advantage before the break was when Santi Cazorla sent a curling free-kick inches wide.
The second half followed a similar pattern with neither side creating too many chances, although Arsenal deserve credit for how well they defended and kept hold of the ball. In truth, they really should have tested Heaton a lot more in the Burnley goal and that will no doubt have frustrated the visiting fans. However, they got the all-important three points at a place where both champions Manchester City and Tottenham failed, and that's what matters most as Arsenal try and make the runners-up spot their own.
Arsenal's defence still had to remain alert in the second half and it was, in fact, the hosts who created the first chance after the restart with Ashley Barnes' shot on the turn being comfortably saved by David Ospina.
The Gunners almost doubled their advantage following a slick passing move, with Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez combining well before the latter's low drive was well saved by Heaton. Trippier then steered a cross just past his own goal before Santi Cazorla fired over from the resulting corner.
At the other end Burnley were still creating the odd chance in their attempt to get back into the game and they wasted a glorious chance to do just that 21 minutes from time. Ben Mee's crossed fell to the unmarked George Boyd but the former Hull man slipped and scuffed his shot. Danny Ings's acrobatic effort was saved by Ospina shortly after as the Clarets failed to find a way past the Colombian shot-stopper.
Arsenal could've extended their lead in the closing stages but substitute Danny Welbeck's effort deflected out for a corner before Sanchez's header was comfortably saved by Heaton.
Wenger would have been delighted to see his side claim maximum points to keep distance between his side and the two Manchester clubs, but the performance was far from convincing. Defensively the Gunners were impressive but they just seemed to lack that extra spark in attack.
The Gunners must now turn their attention to the defence of their FA Cup trophy as they prepare to face Reading at Wembley. Although the Royals are not one of the 'big' sides, Wenger's men will need to up their game and be a lot more clinical to avoid a very nervy cup tie.
I feel confident that we will progress to the final but am also wary that anything can happen in a one-off cup match so we must make sure we don't get complacent. We have already won at Old Trafford during our cup run so if we hit top form we should win the tie comfortably and surely the motivation of getting to a second successive final should see us through.
In last season's cup run the semi-final against Wigan was arguably our toughest match despite playing much 'bigger' opponents in the earlier rounds so we will have to be careful.
We go into the game in the best possible form with 16 wins in our last 18 games in all competitions so let's just make sure we are banging in the goals and not let anything stop us from reaching the final.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
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