Arsenal on brink of Premier League glory after nervy Burnley win

Kai Havertz of Arsenal celebrates the first goal. IMAGO
Kai Havertz of Arsenal celebrates the first goal. IMAGO

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

Kai Havertz of Arsenal celebrates the first goal. IMAGO
Kai Havertz of Arsenal celebrates the first goal. IMAGO

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 PWDLFA+/-PTS
1 Arsenal FC Arsenal 38 26 7 5 71 27 44 85
2 Manchester City FC Man City 38 23 9 6 77 35 42 78
3 Manchester United FC Man United 38 20 11 7 69 50 19 71
4 Aston Villa FC Aston Villa 38 19 8 11 56 49 7 65
5 Liverpool FC Liverpool 38 17 9 12 63 53 10 60
6 AFC Bournemouth Bournemouth 38 13 18 7 58 54 4 57
7 Sunderland AFC Sunderland 38 14 12 12 42 48 -6 54
8 Brighton & Hove Albion FC Brighton Hove 38 14 11 13 52 46 6 53
9 Brentford FC Brentford 38 14 11 13 55 52 3 53
10 Chelsea FC Chelsea 38 14 10 14 58 52 6 52
11 Fulham FC Fulham 38 15 7 16 47 51 -4 52
12 Newcastle United FC Newcastle 38 14 7 17 53 55 -2 49
13 Everton FC Everton 38 13 10 15 47 50 -3 49
14 Leeds United FC Leeds United 38 11 14 13 49 56 -7 47
15 Crystal Palace FC Crystal Palace 38 11 12 15 41 51 -10 45
16 Nottingham Forest FC Nottingham 38 11 11 16 48 51 -3 44
17 Tottenham Hotspur FC Tottenham 38 10 11 17 48 57 -9 41
18 West Ham United FC West Ham 38 10 9 19 46 65 -19 39
19 Burnley FC Burnley 38 4 10 24 38 75 -37 22
20 Wolverhampton Wanderers FC Wolverhampton 38 3 11 24 27 68 -41 20

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