Arsenal closed in on a first Premier League title in 22 years by securing a tense 1-0 win over Burnley on Monday in its penultimate game of the campaign. Kai Havertz's first-half goal proved to be thedifference.
Title Race Update
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 it beats 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 Thoughts
"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," Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard told the Emirates crowd. "Just a little bit to go now and we're going to give it all. We have to keep going."
Arteta's Gamble Pays Off
It was only Havertz's second league goal of an injury-ravaged season, but manager Mikel Arteta gave him the start up front 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," Arteta said.
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 from behind on Lesley Ugochukwu. The decision was upheld after a VAR review.
Closing Scenes
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 for the host.
Arsenal held on through nearly 10 minutes of added time to take another step toward ending its decades-long title drought.
"There is one to go unless something beautiful happens tomorrow night," Arteta said, adding he will be "the biggest ever" Bournemouth fan during the game against Man City.
Mattias Karen, The Associated Press