LONDON — Arsenal moved to the brink of their first Premier League title in 22 years with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over already-relegated Burnley at the Emirates Stadium on Monday.
Kai Havertz scored the only goal of the game in the 37th minute, powering home a header from Bukayo Saka’s corner to send the home crowd into raptures. The result leaves second-placed Manchester City needing a victory against Bournemouth on Tuesday to keep the title race alive heading into the final weekend. Should Arsenal defeat Crystal Palace away on Sunday, they will be crowned champions regardless of City’s result.
It would mark Arsenal’s first league title since the unforgettable 2003-04 “Invincibles” campaign under Arsène Wenger.
The victory was far from a procession, despite Burnley’s lowly position. Arsenal dominated possession and territory but struggled to convert their control into a second goal, leaving the Emirates atmosphere tense throughout the second half. Goalkeeper David Raya was rarely tested as Burnley offered little attacking threat, yet the single-goal lead meant the hosts could never fully relax.
Manager Mikel Arteta’s decision to start Havertz up front ahead of Viktor Gyökeres proved decisive. The German international, operating in an injury-disrupted season, justified his selection with a commanding aerial presence and clinical finish — his second Premier League goal of the campaign.
“I had a feeling that he had to start,” Arteta said. “The way they set up, I think he could be really difficult to handle. And he’s shown that.”
Havertz was fortunate to avoid a red card in the 67th minute after a studs-up challenge from behind on Burnley’s Lesley Ugochukwu. The referee issued only a yellow card, a decision upheld following a VAR review.
Speaking to the crowd after the match, captain Martin Ødegaard captured the mood inside the stadium.
“It’s been an amazing season so far. We’ve got one big one left here (in the league) and then the Champions League final,” he said. “Just a little bit to go now and we’re going to give it all. We have to keep going.”
Arsenal now sit two wins away from what would be their greatest-ever season under Arteta, with the Premier League title and a Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain on May 30 still to play for.
The goal from a set-piece was fitting. Corners have been a prolific source of success for Arsenal throughout the campaign, underlining their tactical organisation and physical threat at dead-ball situations.
While the result represents another significant step toward ending more than two decades of title frustration, Arteta’s side must maintain focus for one more league outing. A victory at Selhurst Park would trigger jubilant scenes across north London and finally lay to rest the long wait since 2004.
For now, the Premier League title is tantalisingly within Arsenal’s grasp.