Crossword Genius

Burning desire of a man to drop gym classes (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

arson

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'burning desire' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'a man to drop gym classes' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'a' is found in the answer.
'man' could be 'son' and 'son' is present in the answer.
A single letter 'r' remains which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'of' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for arson that I've seen before include "Crime of fire setting" , "Criminal pyromania" , "Iniquitous behaviour" , "Crime of fire-setting (5)" , "Malicious fire-raising" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times.
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