Arsenal secured a tense but vital 1-0 victory over Burnley at the Emirates Stadium as Kai Havertz’s first-half goal proved enough to keep Mikel Arteta’s side firmly in the Premier League title race.
The Gunners dominated possession from the opening whistle and quickly settled into their rhythm in North London, although Burnley showed early signs they would not simply roll over. The visitors won a corner inside the opening minute and Florentino fired wide as Arsenal briefly looked unsettled defensively.
Despite Burnley’s bright opening moments, Arsenal soon took control of the contest. By the 16th minute the hosts had around 80% possession and were beginning to pin Burnley deep inside their own half. Trossard was heavily involved early on, striking the post after a lively attack and also becoming involved in a heated moment that reflected the tension around the Emirates.
Havertz finally breaks Burnley resistance
Although Arsenal controlled the ball, clear-cut opportunities were not arriving easily. Havertz had been criticised in the live reaction commentary for needing to “wake up a bit”, but the German forward kept finding dangerous positions and remained a threat throughout the half.
Burnley continued to carry danger on the counterattack. Eze forced Raya into a save around the half-hour mark and the visitors also won another corner shortly afterwards as Arsenal fans began to grow nervous at the lack of a breakthrough.
That breakthrough finally arrived in the 36th minute. After an Odegaard effort was deflected wide, Arsenal made the resulting corner count as Havertz reacted quickest inside the box to score and send the Emirates crowd into celebration.
Saka nearly doubled the lead before the interval after seeing penalty appeals waved away and then curling an effort just wide in the 43rd minute. Arsenal went into the break deservedly ahead, although only by the narrowest of margins.
Nervy second half sees Arsenal hold firm
The second half proved far more tense for Arsenal supporters. Burnley emerged with greater attacking intent and immediately began creating dangerous moments. Eze fired narrowly over before seeing another effort saved, while Hannibal also shot over as the visitors pushed for an equaliser.
Arsenal themselves looked capable of adding a second but continued to waste opportunities. Anthony fired over following an Eze mistake, while Trossard later dragged another effort wide as the home crowd became increasingly anxious.
The game threatened to boil over midway through the half when Havertz was involved in a challenge that prompted VAR to check for a possible red card. The German escaped with only a yellow, much to the relief of the Emirates faithful.
Arteta looked to freshen things up in the 71st minute, introducing Gyokeres, Hincapie and Lewis-Skelly for Havertz, Calafiori and Eze. The changes brought fresh energy, although Arsenal still could not find the second goal their dominance deserved.
There was controversy late on when Gyokeres appeared to be brought down by the Burnley goalkeeper inside the box, but penalty appeals were waved away. Hincapie also provided one of the lighter moments of the half after “nearly losing his shorts” during a dramatic dive challenge.
With seven minutes added on, nerves around the stadium became almost unbearable. Burnley threw bodies forward while Arsenal desperately tried to see the game out. Raya required treatment deep into stoppage time, while Zubimendi was introduced late as Arteta attempted to close the contest down.
In the end, Arsenal held firm to claim a hugely important three points in a match that was far more stressful than many supporters would have hoped.
Can Arsenal now carry this momentum into the final stretch of the title race, Gooners?
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Interesting with us having the same goal difference as City now if it does go to the last day….then if we draw and City win we lose the EPL
Let’s hope City drop points tomorrow
Why would we lose and city win
Don’t you mean when we win and city lose, we win the league
Even if city don’t lose any games
We win one more and it comes home to NL
Onwards and upwards
@ AB
I think PJ-SA means if City win tomorrow and then we draw against CP and if City win their last game, they would be champions on goal difference.
We need Bournemouth to do us a favour and then we can all celebrate tomorrow. Otherwise we will not only have to bite our finger nails but also out toe nails with the nervousness of the last match.
And it is heading that way. We can not win on GD. We have to win, unless Bournemouth do our job for us.
Bournemouth should make use of their extended rest days compared to City. Freshness counts at this final lap.
We only wanted 2.0 will 20 minutes to go.
Instead our left back mooned at us.
No MG, we only wanted 3 points.
Yeah. We wanted 3 points.
But we didn’t want the immense tension. Again. Did we?
Tension ? I couldn’t see Burnley scoring.
What game were you watching! The ward-prows free kick was nailed on from the moment he ran on. 1.0 is just not good enough Mr Herr, anything can happen.
1 nil to the Arsenal has been good enough to get us here and we just need it one more time to bring home the title. Our nerves as gooners may be toast by then but hey, no pain no gain.
O.K. so maybe we didn’t need it one more time after all, lol.🥳🥳🥳
Wasn’t great but job done 👍 Hincapie really put his arse on the line 😍😆
Have to hope Bournemouth get a result tomorrow or we’ll have to seriously up our game on Sunday. I’d like to see Eze score, but after his display tonight I’ll be surprised to see him start. My heart and fingernails can’t take much more 😅
He will definitely start against his former team and maybe get an hatrick and hand them some millions!
If his Arse was on the line, it couldn’t have been a full moon at the Emirates.
lol. Hincapie really put his Arse on the line to get us the 3 points.
He certainly gave new meaning to the phrase squeaky bum time.
He was wearing a jock-strap, right? Right?
Sue,
Arsenal sure put us through it don’t they. They’ve a history of doing this to their fans. If there’s an easy way or a hard way to do it, Arsenal seem to go the hard way most of the time.
Sue have you got any nails left, if so send some to me, I’ve not got any left to bite.
Sorry Derek, I haven’t got any.. those 7 added on minutes finished them off 🤣
That’s what worries me over Sunday – not Palace as such, but us and how we’ll go about the game! 🫣 I’m so glad we’re in this position though, as I honestly thought we’d see a repeat of the last few seasons 🙏
Morning Sue,
Yes I suppose as nervy as its getting it’s still in our own hands. I just wish they would make it a bit easier on us poor fans.😉👍
We surely know what we need to do in our last game, Get the win and enjoy the party.
OMG
That was brutal
I guess we can forget about goal difference now lol
Main thing is that we won
Now it’s over to Bournemouth
If they can at least draw tomorrow night, we are Premier League Champions
1-Nil to The Arsenal (on repeat).
I really must stop backing 4, 5 even 6-0 as it never happens. lol… still im happy with the win. COYG!
I’m a Bournemouth fan from now until around 9:30pm tomorrow lol
Steph an article is coming out that will reassure you why it’s destiny for Cherries to help us so don’t worry
Finally! 😃 We are so close! So close! The last game..
OT: Did the director in the tv control room seriously order a replay of Hincapie’s sweaty cheeks shinning up the sky? 🤣
Come for the funs, stay for the buns.
No, I did 🤣
Nerves are getting to the players. We were lucky today. On another day KH sees red and it might have been a draw. Got the 3 points. Goal difference is not possible now.
Bournemouth, help us out tomorrow with a draw.
Otherwise we are all in for a nervous time on the 24th.
I was surprised he didn’t see red
Like my previous message to AB, I hope Bournemouth do us a favour tomorrow. Otherwise we will not only have to bite our finger nails but also out toe nails with the nervousness of the last match.
👍
Not much contact sue, could easily be a red, plus why Arteta waited that long to bring him off, I don’t understand boy looked tired from the 50th minute I kept screaming sub him off!
Me too, Kenya!! All the moaners out in force that var are on our side and are the only reason we’ll win the title! 🤪
For me it will be a nervous time until the 24th!
Bright start and when all is said and done, Burnley were poor. Slightly better in the second half though but Arsenal should have been more decisive imo and capitalised on their superiority
I couldn’t see why Odegaard got flak. He was steady and looked for opportunities. Equally, Havertz did ok; in the right place to score.
The crowd became increasingly anxious as time went by. Possibly because the players were feeling it too.
I wasn’t expecting that team sheet but I don’t know what Arteta has up his sleeve for the Palace game
although Sue
credit as it’s an art from to grind out these wins
since the Ethiad , that’s 4 Prem clean sheets in a row
it’s not sexy but it’s an art from and takes skill
it’s why Gabriel or Rice are my players of the season.
Not to be sneezed at.
Spot on Dan, now I don’t care how we look like, it’s all about one or two big trophies. We have played fantastic football for several decades, but it’s a long time since we won the league. In addition, we have only played one CL final, soon it will be two.
Next season I believe we will add more flair to our game, but now we have only two fixtures left of an exciting season 😉
Guys, we’re already champions!!!
mark my words.
There’s no way Manchester City wins their two remaining matches.
I’m 100% certain.
Yes, let’s hope we don’t have to win away against Palace, it’s not a pleasant situation 🔴⚪️
How was tonight’s ‘Meet the bus’? Let the present speak!
Hope Bournemouth help, because performances like this won’t win at Palace. Dropping Gyok and MLS for his faves Odegaard and Havertz almost cost us the title.
Arteta will never learn that playing his favourites is not the best for Arsenal. I hope the cherries help, to spare me the heartbreak.
Also starting Havertz. He should’ve been off for a needless challenge. He did score a goal but was absolutely awful. Gyok would’ve bullied their defense.
Konstantin
I know you are so irritated that Arteta is close to win the league, that’s why now you are bringing weak criticism. How can you criticise him for starting our captain and the sole scorer?
Wow the two were literally our match winners, Odegaard deflected shot led to the corner which Harvetz headed in!
👍Kenya001 – If MA playing his “favourites” and making other decisions can get us to within one win of the PL title and playing in the UCL final, I hope he never learns.
Bruised Banana
Don’t mind Konstantin. He does not want Arteta to win the league. These are some of the clueless fans alongside English media who were criticising Arteta for playing his favourite country mate Raya ahead of Ramsdale. Why are they silent now that Ramsdale is benched at Newcastle?
Every coach has his favourites. Even fans do have then. But the question is: Why then do we cry for squad depth if we can’t rotate? When Arteta was not rotating, they were criticising him. Now that he’s rotating, they are still complaining
For my nerves – and sanity – I’m a massive Bournemouth fan tomorrow night. They need to win to consolidate CL footy for next season.
I’d even love a draw – that’s not good enough for City!
It’s all about believe…Epl was over when everton drew city and Arsenal won westham.crystal palace game is a don deal. ..up gunners!
It’s coming home to 🔴⚪️
It’s close, very close. I can dare dream now. Just get over the line boys
Breaking:
Guardiola set to leave this summer. Arteta will reign the league as his master had been doing in the decade. The Kroenkes, waste no time to extend Arteta’s contract.
Bournemouth have Europe to play for and beating City would be great for Iraola’s job search! For the sake of our nerves/nails/hairline, let’s hope PL wrapped up tomorrow!
Probably putting 2 and 2 together and coming up with 5. First Pep still has a year to go. I still think City will avoid MASSIVE punishment. BUT I have been told Citys fate will be revealed in June. I have also been told City may do a deal, if they can not appeal. This is all going on behind close doors this last few months. DO CITY KNOW THEIR FATE? And is Pep jumping ship? Only a few weeks ago he said he was settled and had more to achieve. Is it finally curtains for City? Guadiolla has stayed a very long time but it all seems a bit rushed and decisive.
We were lucky kai avoided red card. That could have cost us today.
Tomorrow morning, the touches and forks of the opposers especially spurs fans and pundits, Chelsea fans and pundits including guadiola will mourn over this continuously till the end of the season.
From my position in the stadium, it wasn’t obvious what was going on until VAR was involved in checking for a red. The Burnley player didn’t roll around like he was on the verge of mortal wounding and got up without too much fuss. Perhaps if he had performed his own version of the dying swan, the outcome may have been different.
Nervous performance but thankfully 3 massive points in the bag, now it’s over to City away at Bournemouth, let’s see if they have the bottle.
I hope the Berk with the Bottle doesn’t show up. Classless City every time, from Pep Blowing Bubbles and coaching the Palace lads, to the Berk with the Bottle.
Did he really coach palace players, how possible is that!?
He was seen after their game against Palace having fat chats with the Palace players for an extended period of time, which is not often seen after a game.
So not 100% proven as far as i know, but I would think that would be the most likely thing.
Players change clubs, some regularly, so it’s likely that he’ll often meet some of his ex-team members.
I hope the bloke with the bottle is there and hopefully it’s the night we are crowned champions, oh the irony! 😀
Dave regards the bottle, I would love to see on Sunday Arsenal beat Palace and then with the permission of Palace have the picture of the City fan drinking out of that bottle, and every member of the Arsenal team and staff standing in front of the screen holding up their Arsenal bottles and cheer-sing him.
That would be funny Derek. Actually, the bottle guy didn’t bother me as much as fellow gooners regurgitating this so called bottling nonsense but I know most of that is just attempting to further other narratives.
The win was the most important thing. But it does concern me with our lack of clinical finishing. While 1-0 to the Arsenal is a famous chorus-line, it is asking for trouble.
While only 1-0 up, the opposition will always feel like their in the game. I only hope that this does not come back to bite us.
If we’re 1-0 up at Palace and into time added on, I don’t even want to think it. But you get my drift.🤦♂️
Well done to the boys
Am 100% sure Man City will see bad things tonight
Saw this on X:
Emirates Champions League final screening update. Club will send emails at 10am with full details and sales will start at 13.00pm. Today will be for season ticket holders who didn’t buy a Budapest ticket. They will also be able to buy for junior gunners. There is no ticket transfer. Only buy if you can attend. £15 tickets. About 35k places
I read a lot about us being lucky on the Havertz red card, but surprisingly little on the clear penalty we didn’t get on Saka in the first half.
Probably because it wasn’t really all that clear at all.
Exactly!!! I thought it was a penalty personally but there was doubt.
Plus lets remember Haverz DIDN’T get a red card.
Reggie
That was a plain penalty.
As for Havertz, yes, he was very lucky. But a few years ago, Man City’s Kovacic tackled Rice and Odegaard exactly the same way in the same game, and was only given a yellow card. It’s not as if PGMOL were favouring us anyway
Not sure Jax, defender on wrong side of Saka, who had clear air for shot on goal, but had his foot clipped – not even close to ball contact. Anywho.
Had his foot clipped? That was not obvious? Saka could have clipped the defenders foot, he had put there from behind. It isn’t clear wether Saka clips his foot, instead of what you are saying. CLEAR AND OBVIOUS?
I’m seeing too much on the GHavertz red card too.
I’s everywhere on most news platforms. It’s been overplayed. We would have held on to win anyway.
Ive not seen anything? Probably because I’m not looking😂
At last BBC sport have wrote a piece about City, their manager leaving AND THE CHARGES and the probable impact. Its all been a bit quiet on Sky recently, as if the dare not mention the ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM.
Thank God we won and being chased by City. That said. Just want to know if the team can not play the way they played against Fulham and ATM at the Emirates. The attack and intensity was so high. Palace match is not going to be easy even if they use the academy players. If Bournemouth couldn’t win or draw them, our players should play the match their lives are dependent on it. That’s the only way we can avoid the stories that touches the heart.
Arteta did it