Arsenal could be crowned Premier League champions today if Manchester City fail to beat Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
Mikel Arteta’s side moved a huge step closer to their first league title in 22 years with a tense 1-0 win over already relegated Burnley. Kai Havertz scored the decisive goal in the first half, heading home from a corner to put the Gunners five points clear at the top of the table.
Arsenal were in control for long spells against Burnley, but it was still a nervy occasion at the Emirates. After finishing second in each of the last three Premier League seasons, supporters know how painful the final stretch of a title race can be.
Now, the pressure is firmly on Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola’s side must beat Bournemouth today to keep the title race alive. A draw would leave City four points behind Arsenal with only one match remaining, meaning the Gunners would be champions before the final day. Defeat would also end City’s hopes immediately.
Only a City victory will take the battle to the last round of fixtures.
City face must-win Bournemouth test
Bournemouth will not be easy opponents. Andoni Iraola’s side are still fighting for European football and have been in excellent form, making City’s trip to the south coast a dangerous one.
Guardiola has already admitted there is no room for error.
AFC Bournemouth 
Manchester City FC “The only chance we have is to win the game,” Guardiola said. “We have to break that run, otherwise it will be over.”
The City manager also praised Bournemouth’s recent form, saying: “They are 16-17 games unbeaten. The run is unbelievable.”
City have been in this position before and have often delivered when the pressure is highest. But this time, they cannot afford even the smallest slip.
Arsenal respond when it matters
Arsenal looked in danger of losing control of the title race after their 2-1 defeat to Manchester City on April 19. That result appeared to hand momentum back to the defending champions.
Instead, Arteta’s side have responded like champions. The Gunners have won their next four league matches without conceding a goal, showing the defensive strength and mental resilience needed to get over the line.
The win over Burnley was not their most fluent performance, but it was exactly the kind of result title-winning teams need at this stage of the season.
Havertz’s header was enough to settle the game, while Arsenal’s defence once again kept David Raya well protected. The clean sheet was another sign of a team that has learned how to control pressure.
Final-day scenario still possible
If City beat Bournemouth, the title race will go to the final day.
Arsenal will travel to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace, while Manchester City will host Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium. Palace have little left to play for domestically, although they also have a Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano on the horizon and could rotate their squad.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, have all but secured Champions League football for next season, but they would still represent a difficult final opponent for City.
For Arsenal, the equation is simple. If City drop points today, the wait is over. If City win, Arteta’s side will still go into the final day with the advantage.
Historic season within reach
A Premier League title would end Arsenal’s 22-year wait for domestic glory, dating back to Arsene Wenger’s unbeaten Invincibles side in 2003-04.
It would also give Arteta only the second trophy of his near seven-year spell in charge and confirm Arsenal’s transformation from nearly men into champions.
There could still be even more to come. Arsenal face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final on May 30 in Budapest, where they will try to win Europe’s biggest club competition for the first time.
For now, all eyes are on Bournemouth. If City fail to win today, Arsenal will be Premier League champions.
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal FC Arsenal | 37 | 25 | 7 | 5 | 69 | 26 | 43 | 82 |
| 2 | Manchester City FC Man City | 37 | 23 | 9 | 5 | 76 | 33 | 43 | 78 |
| 3 | Manchester United FC Man United | 37 | 19 | 11 | 7 | 66 | 50 | 16 | 68 |
| 4 | Aston Villa FC Aston Villa | 37 | 18 | 8 | 11 | 54 | 48 | 6 | 62 |
| 5 | Liverpool FC Liverpool | 37 | 17 | 8 | 12 | 62 | 52 | 10 | 59 |
| 6 | AFC Bournemouth Bournemouth | 37 | 13 | 17 | 7 | 57 | 53 | 4 | 56 |
| 7 | Brighton & Hove Albion FC Brighton Hove | 37 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 52 | 43 | 9 | 53 |
| 8 | Chelsea FC Chelsea | 37 | 14 | 10 | 13 | 57 | 50 | 7 | 52 |
| 9 | Brentford FC Brentford | 37 | 14 | 10 | 13 | 54 | 51 | 3 | 52 |
| 10 | Sunderland AFC Sunderland | 37 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 40 | 47 | -7 | 51 |
| 11 | Newcastle United FC Newcastle | 37 | 14 | 7 | 16 | 53 | 53 | 0 | 49 |
| 12 | Everton FC Everton | 37 | 13 | 10 | 14 | 47 | 49 | -2 | 49 |
| 13 | Fulham FC Fulham | 37 | 14 | 7 | 16 | 45 | 51 | -6 | 49 |
| 14 | Leeds United FC Leeds United | 37 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 49 | 53 | -4 | 47 |
| 15 | Crystal Palace FC Crystal Palace | 37 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 40 | 49 | -9 | 45 |
| 16 | Nottingham Forest FC Nottingham | 37 | 11 | 10 | 16 | 47 | 50 | -3 | 43 |
| 17 | Tottenham Hotspur FC Tottenham | 37 | 9 | 11 | 17 | 47 | 57 | -10 | 38 |
| 18 | West Ham United FC West Ham | 37 | 9 | 9 | 19 | 43 | 65 | -22 | 36 |
| 19 | Burnley FC Burnley | 37 | 4 | 9 | 24 | 37 | 74 | -37 | 21 |
| 20 | Wolverhampton Wanderers FC Wolverhampton | 37 | 3 | 10 | 24 | 26 | 67 | -41 | 19 |
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