Arsenal are so close to the Premier League title now they can smell it, touch it, taste it. As Arsenal’s bus rounded the Hornsey Road roundabout, it was greeted by a sea of red and white. Draped from the railings above The Armoury club shop, hung a hand-painted banner: “Party on the streets of London”.
If Bournemouth take points from visitors Manchester City on Tuesday night, there certainly will be one. Many of the fans who filled the Emirates Stadium for Monday’s 1-0 win over Burnley will descend on the streets of Islington again to celebrate a long-awaited Premier League title. After 22 years, they might be just 24 hours away.
Havertz Goal Moves Arsenal Closer
Arsenal made hard work of already-relegated Burnley, failing to capitalise on their first-half dominance with more than a Kai Havertz headed goal. After the break, they were careless in possession and lacking in intensity — but equally, never in any great danger of conceding an equaliser. The game is unlikely to be remembered on its own merit. For Arsenal, it merely represents moving a step closer to their ultimate goal.
“We are one game away from winning the Premier League,” summarised Arteta in his post-match press conference.
Saka’s Corner Breaks the Tension
There was a clean sheet — goalkeeper David Raya’s 19th of the Premier League campaign, equalling David Seaman’s club record. There was also a set-piece goal — their 18th from a corner kick, a new Premier League record.
Bukayo Saka seemed to know that corner’s outcome as soon as he delivered it. His clipped cross towards the near post on 37 minutes had the perfect trajectory: impossible for the goalkeeper to claim, tantalising for Arsenal players to attack. Watching his delivery float into the six-yard box, Saka mirrored the movement of thousands of fans in the adjacent Clock End — an instinctive little jump and nod, as if to say, ‘Go on, son’. Havertz obliged; the tension was broken, and Arsenal had one hand on the Premier League title.
Defensive Desire Key to Victory
Arsenal were unconvincing, but never truly uncomfortable.
In stoppage time, Burnley sent a hopeful ball down the line looking for substitute Zeki Amdouni. The Switzerland international was escorted off the ball by Gabriel, Arsenal’s penalty-box bouncer supreme. The Brazilian turned and pumped his fist at the fans, who matched him in jubilant salute.
“I think that the desire every single player shows in their defensive duties, their behaviours, is phenomenal — and the work by the coaches as well,” Arteta said afterwards. “We all know the importance of that and how many results and wins we have because o
Even if City beat Bournemouth, this win ensures Arsenal’s destiny remains in their own hands. Victory at Crystal Palace on Sunday in the season’s final round of league fixtures will guarantee them the title. It is exhilarating and — judging by some of the sloppiness seen in the second half last night — intoxicating.