LONDON — Arsenal closed in on a first Premier League title in 22 years by seeing out a tense 1-0 win over Burnley on Monday in its penultimate game of the campaign.
The Winning Goal
Kai Havertz scored the decisive goal in the first half to secure all three points for Arsenal.
It was only Havertz's second league goal of an injury-ravaged season, but manager Mikel Arteta gave him the start ahead of Viktor Gyökeres.
"I had a feeling that he had to start. The way they set up, I think he could be really difficult to handle. And he's shown that."
— Mikel Arteta
Title Race Implications
The result means second-placed Manchester City must end Bournemouth's 16-game unbeaten run on Tuesday to take the title fight into the final weekend.
Even so, Arsenal will be crowned champion if they beat Crystal Palace away on Sunday.
It would be Arsenal's first league title since 2004, when the "Invincibles" went unbeaten under Arsene Wenger.
Captain's Comments
"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. Just a little bit to go now and we're going to give it all. We have to keep going."
— Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard
Match Highlights
Havertz was fortunate not to be sent off when he received only a yellow card in the 67th minute for a lunging studs-up tackle on Lesley Ugochukwu. The decision was upheld after a VAR review.
While Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya never had a save to make against a toothless Burnley side, the lead never felt completely comfortable as a second goal never came.
Arsenal held on through nearly 10 minutes of added time to take another step toward ending its decades-long title drought.
Manager's Final Thoughts
"There is one to go unless something beautiful happens tomorrow night," Arteta said, adding he will be "the biggest ever" Bournemouth fan during their match against Manchester City.