Arsenal 1-0 Burnley: Havertz winner leaves Gunners one step away from the title

Arsenal are on the brink of becoming Premier League champions after Kai Havertz's first-half header proved enough to clinch a nervy 1-0 win at home to already-relegated Burnley.

Match Report 

The tension was palpable at the Emirates Stadium, with the home fans growing frustrated as Burnley held out until the 37th minute.

Leandro Trossard had struck the post from distance but it was another set-piece that led to Arsenal's breakthrough, with Bukayo Saka's inswinging corner being powered home by Havertz.

The Germany international was arguably fortunate not to receive his marching orders in the second half, though, after he lunged in recklessly on Lesley Ugochukwu and caught the Burnley man's Achilles. 

However, a VAR review concluded that the challenge did not constitute serious foul play and Paul Tierney's decision to book Havertz stood, and Mikel Arteta immediately withdrew him for Viktor Gyokeres.

Other than a downwards Eberechi Eze volley bouncing onto the crossbar – via a slight touch from Max Weiss – Arsenal never truly went close to a second goal, teeing up a tense finish.

Burnley had a couple of chances to flood Arsenal's area throughout seven minutes of second-half stoppage time, but they could not find the required quality in the final third as the Gunners took another huge step towards the title.

They will be crowned champions on Tuesday if Manchester City fail to win at Bournemouth, but even if Pep Guardiola's side are victorious, a win at Crystal Palace on Sunday would clinch the title.

Data Debrief: Arsenal win ugly... again

It certainly wasn't pretty, but Arteta will not care one bit.

Arsenal have now won eight Premier League matches by a 1-0 scoreline this season, their second-most in a single campaign, after posting nine 1-0 wins in 1998-99.

Arsenal have also scored from a set-piece in 19 of their 37 Premier League matches this campaign (excluding penalties). 

That is a joint-record for any team in a single season, alongside Aston Villa and Manchester United, both in 2007-08, and Blackburn Rovers in 2011-12.

The Gunners' 32 clean sheets in all competitions, meanwhile, are more than any other team from Europe's top five leagues – they have only kept more in 1970-71 (37) and 1979-80 (33).

Arsenal only had 13 shots, three of which hit the target, and accumulated 1.03 expected goals (xG), but at the other end, they limited Burnley to five shots (none on target) and 0.21 xG. 

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

3' Burnley fires the ball out of the box

6' Highlight from Arsenal vs Burnley

13' Trossard takes down Flemming

14' Havertz shots wide out

16' Trossard hits the woodwork!

25' Highlight from Arsenal vs Burnley

27' Burnley gives a guick attack

30' Match Event for Arsenal vs Burnley

35' Arsenal want a penalty. Referee says no but VAR will check it

37' Havertz leaps highest to head home Saka's perfect corner ! Arsenal 1-0 Burnley

44' Highlight from Arsenal vs Burnley

51' Eze makes a mistake

53' Eze hits the crossbar

67' Yellow Card! Havertz booked

72' Calafiori, Havertz, Eze 🔛 Hincapie, Gyokeres, Lewis-Skelly

77' Highlight from Arsenal vs Burnley

80' No penalty for Arsenal

91' Highlight from Arsenal vs Burnley

Line-ups

Arsenal XI: Trossard, David Raya, Ødegaard, Rice, Gabriel, Havertz, Eberechi Eze, Saliba, Saka, Calafiori, Cristhian Mosquera

Subs: Kepa, Jesus, Viktor Gyökeres, Martín Zubimendi, Martinelli, Madueke, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly, Max Dowman

Burnley XI: Walker, Tuanzebe, Florentino, Zian Flemming, Hannibal, Maxime Estève, Loum Tchaouna, Jaidon Anthony, L. Ugochukwu, Lucas Pires, Max Weiß

Subs: Dubravka, Ward-Prowse, Josh Laurent, Larsen, Edwards, Joe Worrall, Bashir Humphreys, Zeki Amdouni, Quilindschy Hartman