LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — The 2023-2024 Premier League title race has entered its final, tense stretch, with Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal moving to the cusp of ending a 20-year title drought following a hard-fought 1-0 home victory over already-relegated Burnley on Monday night. The win has given the Gunners a commanding five-point gap over defending champions Manchester City at the top of the table, putting the North London side in pole position to lift the trophy for the first time since 2002.
The only goal of the game came from German attacker Kai Havertz, who rose above Burnley’s defense to power a header from Bukayo Saka’s 37th-minute corner delivery. The goal marked Arsenal’s 18th league goal scored from set pieces this season, further cementing their reputation as one of the most dangerous teams in the division from dead-ball situations. The win keeps Arsenal’s record of four consecutive clean sheets intact, a stretch that dates back to their narrow loss to City last month, highlighting the defensive solidity that has carried them through the final weeks of the campaign.
But the night was not without controversy that could have completely reshaped the title race. In the second half, Havertz made a mistimed challenge that saw his rake down the calf of Burnley’s Lesley Ugochukwu, a tackle that many observers believed deserved a red card. After a lengthy review by the video assistant referee (VAR), officials opted to uphold the original on-field decision of a yellow card, allowing Arsenal to keep 11 men on the pitch for the final 25 minutes of the match. Havertz was substituted shortly after the incident for new signing Viktor Gyokeres, though the Swedish forward failed to unlock Burnley’s deep defense to add to Arsenal’s lead.
Many pre-match pundits expected Arsenal to run riot against a struggling Burnley side that had collected only two points from their previous 10 matches. The Clarets, already confirmed as relegated back to the Championship long before this final home game for Arsenal, put up a dogged defensive display that kept the hosts under pressure for much of the night. Before Havertz’s opening goal, Leandro Trossard hit the post from the edge of the penalty area, and Bukayo Saka had a late penalty appeal turned down after going down while trying to convert Havertz’s low cross into the box.
Arteta’s side now have the title firmly within their grasp. If Manchester City fails to secure three points during their away clash with Bournemouth on Tuesday, Arsenal will be crowned champions regardless of their own final result. Even if City manages to end Bournemouth’s 16-match unbeaten run and beats Aston Villa in their final home game this weekend, a single win for Arsenal away at Crystal Palace on Sunday will be enough to secure the trophy. If Arsenal only manages a draw at Selhurst Park, however, City could still pip the Gunners to the title on goal difference if they win both of their remaining fixtures.
Speaking after the full-time whistle, Arteta emphasized that his side had done everything they could to control their own fate. “One more to go,” he said. “We have done our job, what is in our hands. We have to wait and see what is going to happen tomorrow and then it’s time to prepare for the Palace game.” The Arsenal manager acknowledged that his side could have put a more convincing scoreline on the board, but praised his team’s ability to grind out a result when it mattered most. “The margin should have been bigger but we haven’t achieved that,” he added. “We have shown what we have shown all season that when we need to defend and get through the game, we can do it in an efficient way.”
The narrow one-goal margin has kept title hopes alive for Manchester City, who are chasing a fourth consecutive Premier League crown. Adding extra drama to the final week of the season, fresh reports emerged on Monday that long-serving City manager Pep Guardiola is set to leave the club at the end of the campaign, following his side’s final match against Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium. Guardiola has won 14 major trophies during his decade in charge of the Manchester side, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest managers in English football history.