Mikel Arteta talks up Arsenal "tranquillity" after Burnley thrashing

The title-challengers travelled to Lancashire on the back of a sensational 6-0 hammering of West Ham United on February 11, which marked Arsenal's biggest-ever away win during the Premier League era.

Visiting a ground where Burnley made unwanted losing history earlier this season, the Gunners almost replicated their six-goal obliteration of West Ham with another exceptional away performance, which began with Martin Odegaard finding the corner after just four minutes.

Following a slight lull in the action, Bukayo Saka doubled the Gunners' lead from the penalty spot after Lorenz Assignon brought down Leandro Trossard, and the Englishman doubled his tally for the afternoon inside the first two minutes of the second half.

Despite a lengthy delay in play due to a serious-looking injury to Burnley's Aaron Ramsey, Arsenal's momentum was not disrupted, and Trossard curled home a fourth in front of the jubilant away end in the 66th minute.

With 12 minutes of normal time remaining, Kai Havertz then capped off a five-star display with a fine solo strike, meeting Jakub Kiwior's quick throw, prodding the ball through Hannes Delcroix's legs and firing home low into James Trafford's goal.

The battering of Burnley marked the first time in Arsenal's history that they have won their opening five league fixtures of a calendar year, and they will end the weekend in second place thanks to Chelsea's draw with Manchester City in the evening kickoff.

"We are showing a high efficiency at the moment in front of goal, and you see especially the purpose, the way we're playing at," Arteta told reporters in his post-match press conference.

"We always want to play forward and be a threat, and the players up front, they feel really connected at the moment. That's a different story because it gives us much more tranquillity, especially to finish the games off."

Before jetting off to Dubai for a winter training camp, Arsenal had only struck five goals in seven games from December 9 to January 7, but the rejuvenated Gunners have amassed a staggering 21 from their last five contests in the top flight.

As well as winning their opening five league matches of a calendar year for the first time ever, Saturday's ruthless performance also saw Arsenal score at least five goals in back-to-back away league matches; something they had never previously achieved in their 138-year history.

Following their winter blues, Arteta was overjoyed to see his team show no mercy at Turf Moor, adding: "The contribution of every single player has been very, very good and the fact that the team looked like it wanted more. They weren't satisfied, they wanted to score more and didn't want to concede a goal, so I'm really pleased to see that consistency.

"I think the threat, the purpose, the activity and the connections of the players at the moment is flowing and they really want it. We have momentum now and we have to maintain it.

"We want more and we know how important the goal difference is to be up there. Every player, whether he plays one minute or 30 minutes, the contribution they are willing to give to the team is really positive, so let's keep doing it."

Still just two points behind leaders Liverpool, Arsenal now take a break from Premier League action to prepare for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with Porto on Wednesday.