Arsenal on brink of Premier League glory after nervy Burnley win

Arsenal moved to within touching distance of their first Premier League title in 22 years after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Burnley at the Emirates Stadium.

Kai Havertz scored the decisive goal late in the first half, heading home from Bukayo Saka’s corner to give Mikel Arteta’s side a crucial victory in the title race.

The result moves Arsenal five points clear of Manchester City, who must beat Bournemouth on Tuesday night to keep the race alive until the final day. If City fail to win at the Vitality Stadium, Arsenal will be crowned champions with one match still to play.

Havertz gives Arsenal the breakthrough

Arsenal had to stay patient during a tense first half. Havertz fired wide, while Leandro Trossard struck the post from distance as Burnley frustrated the home side.

There was also controversy when Saka went down under a challenge from Lucas Pires in the penalty area, but referee Paul Tierney waved play on and VAR did not intervene.

Moments later, Arsenal finally found the breakthrough from their biggest weapon this season: set pieces. Saka delivered a dangerous corner into the box and Havertz rose to head home.

Premier League

2026-05-18 19:00

Arsenal FC

1 – 0

FT

Burnley FC

Matchday 37 Regular season

It was Arsenal’s 18th Premier League goal from a corner this season, underlining just how important dead-ball situations have become to Arteta’s team.

Saka also reached a personal milestone with his 50th Premier League assist for Arsenal. Only Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry, Cesc Fabregas and Mesut Ozil have managed more for the club.

Arsenal hold firm under pressure

Arsenal knew a second goal would calm the nerves, but they were unable to kill the game off. Eberechi Eze clipped the crossbar, while Burnley stayed within touching distance as the second half became increasingly scrappy.

Havertz was fortunate to avoid further punishment midway through the second half after catching Lesley Ugochukwu with a high challenge. VAR checked the incident but decided not to intervene.

As the clock ticked down, tension grew inside the Emirates, but Burnley struggled to seriously test David Raya. Arsenal’s defence held firm once again, securing a fourth straight league win without conceding.

That response has been vital. After losing 2-1 to Manchester City on April 19, Arsenal looked in danger of letting the title slip away. Instead, they have recovered with four consecutive clean-sheet victories and are now in control of their own destiny.

Arteta’s side will face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on the final day, but they may already be champions by then.

With a Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain still to come on May 30, Arsenal are now closing in on what could become one of the greatest periods in the club’s history.

Premier League standings

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