We left it late against Burnley yet again as Alexis Sanchez's penalty guided Arsenal to a 1-0 win at Turf Moor.
In both of last season's meetings we needed a stoppage time winner - a controversial goal by Laurent Koscielny at Turf Moor and a Sanchez penalty at the Emirates - so understandably Burnley were left feeling frustrated.
Although I agree the penalty was soft this time around and maybe Aaron Ramsey went down too easily, there is also no doubt that Burnley defender James Tarkowski did push the Welsh midfielder.
Even if it wasn't given, Arsenal were denied a bigger shout for a penalty earlier in the game when Hector Bellerin was fouled in the box by Robbie Brady.
Arsenal enjoyed more possession and shots, but both sides had the same number of shots on target which was only two. A draw would possibly have been a fairer result, but obviously I am delighted with the win. If I was in Burnley's shoes maybe I'd feel hard done by, but I think if they were in our shoes their view on the penalty could also be different.
The result is just what we needed and lifts us above Liverpool and Tottenham into fourth place, but credit must go to Burnley for being very hard to break down. They are seventh in the table on merit and Sean Dyche is doing a very good job at Turf Moor and I genuinely wish them all the best for the rest of the season (apart from when they visit the Emirates of course).
Arsenal started brightly with Sanchez sending a shot wide after just seven minutes, but the Gunners had a big stroke of luck soon after. Ashley Barnes appeared to be pushed by Nacho Monreal in the box, but luckily the flag had already gone up for offside before that. Had it not been for the offside a penalty could have been given, so it was a let off.
Burnley midfielder Johann Berg Gudmundsson came close to breaking the deadlock when he got the better of Monreal, but his powerful strike was excellently tipped onto a post by Petr Cech.
The Arsenal goalkeeper produced another decent save to deny Jeff Hendrick, while Ramsey and Monreal both sent shots off target at the other end.
Cech ensured the scores remained goalless going in at the break when he saved Robbie Brady's free-kick to put it behind for a corner.
Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette tried his luck from outside of the box within six minutes of the restart, but Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope got down well to save the France international's effort.
The Gunners saw a decent penalty shout turned down following Brady's foul on Bellerin before Lacazette and substitute Jack Wilshere both saw their shots deflected behind for a corner. But there was still time for more drama in stoppage time as Sanchez scored from the penalty spot despite Pope diving the right way.
The match will certainly continue to cause more debate, but there is one thing for sure - it was a big three points for us!
OPPOSITION VIEW
Burnley fan Chris Horner believes his side deserved at least a point at Turf Moor, but he is pleased with his side's progress this season.
"A draw would've been a fair result overall," said Horner. "Burnley controlled the first half and Arsenal did a lot better in the second half.
"The referee made a few puzzling decisions and I'm not sure if it was a penalty (I haven't had a clear view of it yet). It seems we don't have much luck playing against them in recent games.
"This season has been brilliant so far and to be disappointed in losing out on the chance to go into the top four shows how far Burnley have come in a short space of time."
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
It may have been a slightly fortunate three points, but we have to be delighted to have got the result and we must make sure we kick on from here.
Arsenal are only one point behind Chelsea and four behind second-placed Manchester United, who we welcome to the Emirates in a week's time.
But before we can even think about the clash against Jose Mourinho's men we must focus all of our attention on the next league match and the visit of Huddersfield.
Huddersfield are up in 11th, which is a very credible position for a newly-promoted side, and we have to make sure we don't take them lightly. The Terriers have already beaten Manchester United and it took a late goal for them to lose against leaders Manchester City.
Home advantage should prove enough for us on the day, but we can't take anything for granted. Burnley deserve credit for being a decent defensive unit, we wasted too many chances and need to be a lot more clinical if we are to put any kind of pressure on the teams around us.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
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