Arsenal on the brink of English Premier League title after nervy Burnley win
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Arsenal's Kai Havertz scores their first goal past Burnley's Max Weiss.
PHOTO: REUTERS
LONDON – One more to go is the message from Mikel Arteta, as Arsenal are on the brink of ending a 22-year wait to win the English Premier League after beating Burnley 1-0 on May 18 to open up a five-point lead at the top.
Kai Havertz headed in the only goal but was also lucky to avoid a second-half red card that could have swung the title race back in Manchester City’s favour.
The Gunners could be crowned champions as early as May 19 should City fail to win at Bournemouth. Even if City do end the Cherries’ 16-game unbeaten run and then beat Aston Villa, Arsenal will secure the title with victory at Crystal Palace on May 24.
“One more to go,” said Arsenal boss Arteta.
“I’m very happy tonight. We have done our job, what is in our hands.
“We have to wait and see what is going to happen tomorrow and then it’s time to prepare for the Palace game.
“We were unlucky that we did not score the second or third goal. We faced a tough opponent. Look at the spirit that they had still today to try to get something out of the game. This league is so tough.
“We had to maintain the high standards, the way we have been competing all season and we need to win one more game.”
The narrow margin of victory against a Burnley side who have long since been relegated does offer City hope.
An Arsenal draw at Selhurst Park would allow City to snatch the title on goal difference if Pep Guardiola’s team win their final two matches.
To add extra intrigue to the final days of the season, reports on May 18 suggest Guardiola will leave City after a decorated decade in charge following Villa’s visit to the Etihad Stadium on May 24.
Roared on by an expectant capacity crowd in their final home game of the season, Arsenal were tipped to put the Clarets to the sword with ease.
Burnley’s last win in the Premier League was in February, but they made Arteta’s men work for the three points on another nervy night at the Emirates Stadium.
Leandro Trossard struck the post from the edge of the area before Bukayo Saka saw a penalty appeal waived away and Arsenal were forced to rely on their set-piece threat once more to prise Burnley open.
Havertz rose highest to power in Saka’s delivery on 37 minutes as they scored from a corner for the 18th time in the league this season. They have netted 23 times from set pieces.
Arsenal’s Kai Havertz opens the scoring past Burnley’s Max Weiss.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Yet the floodgates did not open and their rock-solid defensive record again edged them closer to the title. Since losing to City in April, Arsenal have not conceded in their last four league games.
“The margin should have been bigger but we haven’t achieved that,” added Arteta.
“We have shown what we have shown all season that when we need to defend and get through the game, we can do it in an efficient way.” AFP
