Arsenal have begun the 2019/20 Premier League season with six points out of six, winning their second consecutive game in the English top-flight. This time, they overcame Burnley and while it wasn’t the easiest of wins, one man’s performance left everyone singing his praises.
That was Dani Ceballos, the Real Madrid midfielder on loan at the Emirates Stadium. The Spaniard showed his class in Saturday’s early kick-off and came away with an impressive feat.
The 23-year-old was at the heart of the Gunners’ two goals, setting up both their first-half and second-half strikes. As a result, he became only the third player in the club’s history to register two or more assists in their first Premier League start.
3 - Dani Ceballos is just the third Arsenal player to register 2+ assists on his first Premier League start for the Gunners after Ray Parlour and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Impression. pic.twitter.com/S15jdjRCbL
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 17, 2019
The first of his two assists came early on, with Lacazette burying Ceballos’ pass past the opposition goalkeeper. The Clarets would go on to equalize, with Emery’s men finding it difficult to break down the visitors as they were ready to defend deep and come away with a point.
An excellent press from Ceballos saw him steal the ball off a defender in Burnley’s half, with Aubameyang hitting the back of the net this time around. However, it was not his two assists alone that had Gooners impressed as he was all over the pitch, dictating the play with a midfield masterclass.
The loanee was subbed off with only seven minutes remaining from normal time, but his display did not go unnoticed, with the home fans honoring him with a standing ovation as he made his way off the pitch. Check out the best tweets about his performance below.
Dani Ceballos covered the most ground on the pitch of any player today, covering 9.9km in 82 minutes. MOTM display.#afc #COYG pic.twitter.com/9L7CysgP1T
— Gunners.com (@Gunnersc0m) August 17, 2019
Brilliant from Ceballos, who wins the ball back in midfield, then it's just magical from Aubameyang from then on.
— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) August 17, 2019
Ceballos ran off celebrating like he had scored, went straight to the Arsenal fans.
2-1
Another 3 points but we need to improve. Ceballos MOTM. Pepe showing in flashes how good he is going to become when he is 100% fit.
— Osman (@OsmanZtheGooner) August 17, 2019
Dani Ceballos' game by numbers vs. Burnley:
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) August 17, 2019
100% take-ons completed
97 touches
90% pass accuracy
70 passes
19 duels
7 recoveries
5 crosses
4 take-ons completed
4 chances created
3 fouls won
3 shots
2 tackles made
2 assists
No one could get near him. pic.twitter.com/3DwPY1oCkG
Ceballos is a lovey footballer. Admired him at Betis and wondered why it hasn’t really happened for him at Real Madrid.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) August 17, 2019
Dani receives a standing ovation as he makes his way off the pitch - and Emirates Stadium sings his name...
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 17, 2019
Good shift today, @DaniCeballos46
2-1 (85)#ARSBUR pic.twitter.com/ci02JNhyC3