Arsenal moved to the brink of ending their 22-year wait for a Premier League title after a tense 1-0 victory over already-relegated Burnley at the Emirates Stadium on May 18.
Kai Havertz scored the decisive goal in the 37th minute, rising to meet a Bukayo Saka corner and heading past Burnley goalkeeper Max Weiss. It was not Arsenal’s most fluent performance, but Mikel Arteta’s side showed the composure and defensive control required at this stage of a title race.
The result lifted Arsenal to 82 points from 37 matches, five points clear of Manchester City, who have 77 points from 36 matches. City must beat Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on May 19 to keep the title race alive heading into the final weekend. If City drop points, Arsenal will be confirmed as Premier League champions before their final match.
For Arsenal, the achievement would carry major historical weight. Their last league title came in the 2003-04 Invincibles season, and Arteta’s squad now stand closer than ever to bringing the trophy back to North London. Havertz, once heavily questioned after his move from Chelsea, has become an important figure in Arsenal’s title push, delivering one of the most decisive goals of their season.
Arsenal’s final league fixture is away to Crystal Palace on May 24. If Manchester City beat Bournemouth, Arsenal will still have the chance to secure the title themselves on the final day with a victory at Selhurst Park.
