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Arsenal Edge Closer to Title After Hard-Fought Victory Over Burnley
Arsenal are on the cusp of clinching their first Premier League title under the stewardship of Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners’ narrow 1-0 victory against Burnley has brought them closer to ending their 22-year wait for the coveted league crown, a dream that could materialize as early as Tuesday.
Should Manchester City falter with anything less than a win at Bournemouth, Arsenal will be crowned champions before Sunday’s league finale, finally shedding their “nearly-men” label after three consecutive second-place finishes.
Even if City secure a win on Tuesday, Arsenal would only need to secure a victory against Crystal Palace on Sunday to seal the title.
While the Gunners remain grounded, acknowledging that the title is not yet secured, history is on their side, as no team in Premier League history has ever relinquished the top spot on the final day of the season.
On an evening amidst reports of a potential end to Pep Guardiola’s reign at City, Arsenal fans are daring to believe that a new era is on the horizon.
The atmosphere at Emirates Stadium was electric long before kickoff, with supporters greeting the team bus with flares and chants 90 minutes prior to the match.
Kai Havertz’s first-half header ultimately proved decisive, despite a tense second half where the goalscorer narrowly avoided a red card for a late challenge.
Despite the late drama, Arsenal‘s eighth 1-0 victory of the season secured the points, and while Arteta remained tight-lipped about his plans for Tuesday’s match, all eyes are now on Bournemouth.
“Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice confidently stated to BBC Sport, “I think we deserve to be champions, 100% speaking honestly.”
“This season has been our season, but Man City have been incredible. Under Pep, you can never rule them out, the ruthlessness of them. But we have put ourselves in a really good position and all I have been saying is that we have to keep going.”
“There is one more. Thirty-eight games nearly completed and at the end you can say you are a champion, but you have to go out there on Sunday and perform because Palace is not going to be easy.”
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Arteta: First Half Performance Among Season’s Best
In a fitting narrative, Arsenal‘s Premier League title aspirations are bolstered by their defensive solidity, exemplified by their 1-0 win against Burnley – their third such victory in their last four league matches, during which they have conceded just once in their past six outings.
They boast the league’s stingiest defense, having conceded a mere 26 goals, and their last concession in open play dates back to their defeat against City on April 19, seven games ago.
The clean sheet against Burnley marked Arsenal‘s 32nd in all competitions this season.
“I thought that the amount of hair that I have is never going to go away but in this job it is going to test it to the limit,” said Arteta.
“The desire that every single player shows in their defensive duties, their behaviours and the way that they work for each other is phenomenal.
“It’s a lot of work put in by all the coaches as well. And we all know the importance of that and how many results and wins we have because of that.”
Their 13th 1-0 win of the season, alongside their reliance on set-pieces and a relative lack of high-scoring victories, has drawn both criticism and nail-biting finishes.
City will overtake Arsenal on goal difference if they win their final two matches, which means Arsenal must defeat Crystal Palace. A draw would not suffice in that scenario.
“Manchester City might actually have taken that,” former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said on Sky Sports.
“Seeing how [Arsenal] played that second half, I think the nerves will really kick in if Man City beat Bournemouth. Crystal Palace are a better team than Burnley even with a few players out.
“Arsenal are going to do it in the fashion of George Graham rather than Arsene Wenger – ‘1-0 to the Arsenal‘ probably sums them up.”
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville added: “Arsenal are right on the brink but my goodness they don’t half make it difficult for themselves.
“You have to admire their ability to concentrate and focus and keep to the defensive shape and principles. They keep clean sheets and that’s a rare commodity in the modern game, for a team to see out 1-0 victories like this team can.
“I think it’s going to be enough to see them home.”
Now, attention shifts to the south coast and Bournemouth.
Prior to Arsenal‘s match at West Ham last week, Guardiola expressed his support for the Hammers, hoping they would take crucial points off his title rivals.
Now, it’s Arteta’s turn, once Guardiola’s assistant at City, to lend his support elsewhere. He declared that he would be Bournemouth‘s “biggest fan” on Tuesday.
With so much at stake, Arsenal supporters will gather to witness if their team can be crowned champions without even taking the field.
“Arsenal supporter Kym said, “It’s so big. I remember when we did the double, my kids obviously don’t. They’ve been so consistent for the last few years. All the players, Arteta, they deserve it so much. And if they don’t do it, it’d be heartbreaking,”
“I’m going to watch it at home and behind a pillow honestly. It’s literally down to the last wire and with Pep Guardiola and Arteta having that such close relationship, it’s going to be intense.
“I will be on cloud nine for a long time [if Arsenal win the title]. It’s not just me, it’s my whole family, it’s all the supporters, I just feel like it’s been so close for so many years and it will mean so much.”
Another supporter shared, “I’m nervous. I will be watching it with my friends after work.
“I think you know Bournemouth actually have something to play for so that’s what is in my head. I think Bournemouth could do the job because if they finish sixth and Villa win the Europa League [and finish fifth], they’re in the Champions League.
“So yeah, it’s possible and the same thing with Palace, they’ve got to play for the Conference League.
“I’m saying this to someone that’s been very critical of Arsenal, I’ve never been more confident. I’m not saying I’m very confident but I’ve never been more confident in us getting this over the line.”
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