Arsenal stand on the verge of ending their 22-year Premier League drought after a tense 1-0 victory over Burnley on Monday night.
Title Within Reach: Arsenal Beat Burnley to Set Up Palace Showdown
Kai Havertz headed home the only goal at the Emirates Stadium, lifting the Gunners five points clear at the top of the table.
The German international, however, escaped a second-half red card that could have dramatically shifted the title race in Manchester City’s favour.
Mikel Arteta’s side now need just one more win to secure the championship. Should City fail to beat Bournemouth on Tuesday, Arsenal will celebrate immediately.
Even if Pep Guardiola’s team wins at the Vitality Stadium, the Gunners can seal the title by defeating Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
“One more to go,” Arteta said.
“We have done our job, what is in our hands.”
The narrow margin against an already-relegated Burnley side offers City a sliver of hope.
An Arsenal draw at Palace would allow the champions to snatch the title on goal difference if they win their final two matches.
Havertz’s 37th-minute header from Bukayo Saka’s corner proved decisive. The goal marked Arsenal’s 18th set-piece strike of the league season.
Leandro Trossard earlier struck the post, and Saka saw a penalty appeal waved away.
The controversial moment arrived in the second half. Havertz raked his studs down Lesley Ugochukwu’s calf in a poor challenge.
VAR reviewed the incident but stuck with the original yellow card. Arteta quickly replaced Havertz with Viktor Gyokeres.
Since losing to City last month, Arsenal have not conceded a single goal in four league matches. That defensive resilience again proved vital.
“The margin should have been bigger, but we haven’t achieved that,” Arteta added.
“We have shown what we have shown all season – when we need to defend and get through the game, we can do it in an efficient way.”
The title could arrive as early as Tuesday night if Bournemouth hold City. Otherwise, Arsenal will look to finish the job in south London this weekend.
