Arsenal moved to the brink of ending a 22-year wait to win the Premier League after beating Burnley 1-0 on Monday to set up a five-point advantage at the top.
AFP said that Kai Havertz scored the single goal but was also lucky to escape a second-half red card that could have swung the title race back in Manchester City’s direction.
The Gunners can be declared champions as early as today if City can’t beat Bournemouth.
Arsenal will win the title with a victory at Crystal Palace on Sunday even if City break the Cherries’ 16-game undefeated run and beat Aston Villa.
But the tight win over a long-since relegated Burnley side gives City hope.
Should Pep Guardiola’s City win their next two games, a draw at Selhurst Park for Arsenal would allow them to win the title on goal difference.
And to give more drama to the final days of the season, speculations on Monday claim Guardiola will depart City after a decorated decade in charge after Villa visit the Etihad on Sunday.
An excited maximum crowd drove Arsenal on in their final home game of the season and they were expected to put the Clarets to the sword with ease.
Burnley have picked up only two points from their past 10 games but made Mikel Arteta’s men struggle for the three points on another nerve-jangling night at the Emirates.
Leandro Trossard hit the post from the edge of the area and Bukayo Saka’s penalty claim was turned down as he tried to turn in Havertz’s low cross.
Again Arsenal had to rely on their set piece threat to tear open Burnley.
Havertz scored from a corner for the 18th time in the league this season after rising highest to turn in Saka’s ball on 37 minutes.
But the floodgates didn’t flow and Arsenal were very fortunate not to have to defend their lead with 10 men for the last quarter.
Havertz mistimed a challenge, dragging his studs on the calf of Lesley Ugochukwu.
The VAR review did not raise the initial yellow card to a red.
Havertz was promptly substituted by Viktor Gyokeres. The Swede’s arrival did not set Arsenal alight as an attacking powerhouse.
But their rock solid defence again got them closer to the trophy.
Arsenal have not surrendered a goal in their last four league games since their loss to City last month.
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