Kai Havertz scored the winning goal for Arsenal, but luckily he wasn’t sent off. (Image: Getty)
Arsenal hold the Premier League title and could be crowned champions within 24 hours after picking up a big three points at home to relegated Burnley. Just as things were starting to get tense at the Emirates Stadium, Kai Havertz headed home from a Bukayo Saka corner kick in the 36th minute, making it the Gunners’ 18th goal from a corner kick in the league this season.
Goalscorer Havertz was then lucky to avoid a direct red card after a VAR check spared him a penalty for an awkward stud-up challenge. Arsenal were unable to find a second goal to ease the tension and won 1-0. That means Manchester City must beat Bournemouth on Tuesday night. If not, Mikel Arteta’s side will win Arsenal’s first league title since 2002.
Express Sport rates and predicts the Gunners…
Arsenal vs Burnley player ratings
David Raya – 6
It was his 19th clean sheet of the season and one of the easiest. Golden Glove Award winner Raya did not take a single shot on target. His toughest moment was when Jean Fleming ran into him in stoppage time.
As a right-back, he showed great performance both offensively and defensively.
He rarely showed any signs of discomfort as he helped Arsenal to another big clean sheet.
Same as Saliba. He played with authority against a battling Fleming, and he and his teammates exchanged several verbal exchanges.
Top display again from left side back top. He worked well on the left side alongside Leandro Trossard. Best passing accuracy among players starting the match.
Another great performance from the Premier League Player of the Year candidate. He showed more touches than any other player, made more passes into the final third than anyone else, was excellent in duels as always, and made a huge contribution defensively.
Arsenal with Premier League trophy in hand (Image: Getty)
It was a really great performance from our captain, who kept things moving in attack and enjoyed great combination play with Eze in midfield.
His collaboration with Odegaard was good, but he could have shown more. They gave the ball away to give a nervous Burnley a half-chance and squandered a golden heading opportunity just before the hour mark.
Saka’s dangerous play created the perfect corner kick for Havertz’s first goal. He is back to his best.
Under pressure after being replaced by the in-form Victor Gokeres, he responded with a brilliant leap to put Arsenal into the lead. But then he was extremely lucky to avoid a red card for his horrific tackle on Leslie Ugochukwu. He was subbed off shortly after that.
A powerful low drive from a distance unfortunately hit the post. I was lucky to not be able to book an early match against Fleming. But overall it’s a really good performance.
substitute
Victor Gokeres (Havertz 72 minutes) – 7
Spectators loved his fight from center forward.
Pierrot Hincapie (Calafioli 72 minutes) – 6
Silly stories in the box aside, there’s not much to talk about.
Miles Lewis-Skelly (Eze 72 minutes) – 6
Gabriel Martinelli (Trossard 90+3) – N/A
Martin Zvimendi (Odegaard 90+3) – N/A
