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Shkodran Mustafi says Arsenal have steel for a sustained title challenge

Sam Vokes tussles with Shkodran Mustafi during the game at Turf Moor
Image: Sam Vokes tussles with Shkodran Mustafi during the game at Turf Moor

Shkodran Mustafi feels Arsenal displayed the "steel" required to mount a sustained Premier League title challenge this season after Laurent Koscielny's stoppage-time goal secured a 1-0 win at Burnley on Sunday.

Arsenal had swept aside Chelsea and Basel in their previous two matches but were forced to dig deep at Turf Moor for a fifth straight Premier League success and Germany international Mustafi underlined its significance.

"It was all about coming here and giving everything," the £35m summer signing from Valencia told Arsenal's official website.

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Thierry Henry shares his thoughts on Burnley's clash with Arsenal at Turf Moor

"It suits us more to play against big teams because it's not always easy to come to places like this and change from style to steel.

"But we showed that we have good character and steel, and that's what gave us the three points in the end."

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Laurent Koscielny combine to score a late winner for Arsenal
Image: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Laurent Koscielny combine to score the late winner

Burnley were forced to play on the counter for long periods such was Arsenal's mastery of possession, but the Londoners spurned numerous goalscoring chances.

Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott, Mesut Ozil and Alex Iwobi had all been guilty of dithering when well-placed, while Burnley went close to making them pay with their limited chances.

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Johann Berg Gudmundsson's header was turned away at full stretch by Petr Cech and Michael Keane headed a 75th-minute corner against the woodwork, although replays appeared to show the goalkeeper got his hand to it.

"The great teams fight until the end because they know that there's still an opportunity to score a goal and we showed that," Mustafi added.

Laurent Koscielny celebrates Arsenal's match winning goal with his team-mates
Image: Laurent Koscielny celebrates Arsenal's match winning goal with his team-mates

"It just showed us that we are capable of scoring from every situation, even in the last minutes. A win like this is important to us."

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