LONDON — Arsenal is just one victory away from clinching the Premier League title after edging past Burnley with a 1-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium. However, a red card for goalscorer Kai Havertz nearly soured a tense and frustrating match.
The Gunners will be crowned champions for the first time since 2004 if Manchester City fails to secure a win against Bournemouth on Tuesday.
However, the lack of a convincing win against the already-relegated Burnley means Arsenal must secure a victory against Crystal Palace on the season’s final day to prevent City from potentially overtaking them with two victories in their remaining matches against Bournemouth and Aston Villa.
Fortunately for Mikel Arteta, Havertz, who netted Arsenal’s winner in the first half, will be available for the match at Selhurst Park after avoiding a red card for a late challenge on Burnley’s Lesley Ugochukwu, following a VAR review. — Mark Ogden
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Havertz: A hero and nearly a villain
Havertz put Arsenal on the verge of the title by scoring the game’s sole goal, but the forward was fortunate to avoid a second-half red card after a risky challenge on Burnley’s Ugochukwu.
His goal, a pivotal moment, brought Arsenal closer to their first title in 22 years, yet had he been sent off and Arsenal played with ten men for the last 20 minutes, it might have jeopardized their championship aspirations.
The VAR assessed the tackle on Ugochukwu for serious foul play, but referee Paul Tierney did not go to the pitchside monitor, with VAR official James Bell ultimately deciding it didn’t warrant further action.
Nonetheless, it was a hefty challenge, with Havertz’s studs making contact with Ugochukwu’s calf, and Arsenal narrowly avoided their first Premier League red card of the season at such a critical time.
This escape means Havertz will be eligible for the clash against Crystal Palace, and given his knack for scoring in crucial matches, a goal from him could prove pivotal, especially for City’s title hopes on the final day. — Ogden
Arsenal creates pressure on themselves for final match
Arsenal can seal the championship on Tuesday night if Manchester City does not win against Bournemouth, but if City secures victory, the Gunners will be under pressure to triumph against Crystal Palace to clinch the title.
Had Arteta’s squad delivered a convincing win against relegated Burnley, they could have alleviated the need to worry about goal difference, allowing a draw at Selhurst Park to suffice in maintaining their lead over City.
However, their narrow 1-0 win means Arsenal’s and City’s goal differences are now equal at 43. This match was one they needed to win by a greater margin, but yet again, they relied on a set-piece for victory.
There was minimal creativity on display, just like in their previous week’s narrow win against West Ham. If they repeat this pattern against Palace, they will be champions, irrespective of City’s results against Bournemouth and Villa on the final day.
Still, given their recent struggles to secure wins, they risk facing a situation where luck runs out. If that happens at Palace, it could have title implications. — Ogden
Arsenal on the brink of claiming the title
Before kickoff against Burnley, a banner unfurled by fans at the Emirates read: “Three games to make history.” With one game down, two remain. Two additional wins would see Arsenal claim the Premier League and UEFA Champions League titles.
Just one more win will secure the Premier League, regardless of City’s performance in their last two matches.
Victorious at Crystal Palace on Sunday, the title will be theirs. While Selhurst Park poses a challenge, it remains to be seen how serious a squad Oliver Glasner fields. Despite having little left to play for in the league, Palace managed a respectable 2-2 draw against Brentford on Sunday.
Glasner has stated he won’t make sweeping changes against Arsenal. However, it’s challenging to overlook their impending UEFA Conference League final with Rayo Vallecano just three days later. Winning that match would not only secure another trophy but also provide a pathway into the UEFA Europa League and further European competition.
Ultimately, Arsenal holds their fate in their own hands, and had Arteta been offered the chance to win the title at Crystal Palace before the season began, he would have jumped at the opportunity. The finish line is so close. — Rob Dawson
City braces for a tense encounter at Bournemouth
Arsenal might find themselves champions if Manchester City fails to win against Bournemouth on Tuesday, a challenging task for Pep Guardiola at the Vitality Stadium.
Bournemouth has gone unbeaten since January and requires just one point to secure European qualification for next season. City will also be trying to recover quickly after their recent FA Cup final on Saturday. This scenario ensures Arsenal and their players will be glued to their screens.
Guardiola hopes to take the title race to the final day when City faces Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium. However, he’s already admitted the challenge posed by Bournemouth is significant.
In a moment of candidness during a recent press conference, he indicated that facing Bournemouth in this situation, given their current form, might be the toughest matchup on their calendar with the title at stake.
If the scenario unfolds, it wouldn’t be surprising if Arsenal were crowned champions on Tuesday, with a game still left to play. — Dawson