Arsenal 1-0 Burnley: Kai Havertz scores winner but avoids red card as Gunners move within one result of the Premier League title
Report and free match highlights as Arsenal beat Burnley 1-0 thanks to Kai Havertz's winner; the striker headed home Bukayo Saka's corner - then avoided a red card for a "vicious" high tackle; Arsenal will be crowned champions if Man City don't beat Bournemouth on Tuesday night
Tuesday 19 May 2026 00:14, UK
Arsenal secured a nervy 1-0 win over already-relegated Burnley and could be crowned Premier League champions on Tuesday if Manchester City fail to win against Bournemouth.
But if City beat the Cherries, who are on a 16-game unbeaten run ahead of the game, live on Sky Sports, then the Premier League title race goes to the final day.
After the team bus was welcomed in by a raucous support, Arsenal took their time to get going despite a very attacking line-up put out by Mikel Arteta - but their pressure eventually led to a goal.
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After Leandro Trossard struck the post and Martin Odegaard saw a good chance deflected wide, Kai Havertz nodded Bukayo Saka's corner in for Arsenal's 24th goal from a set-piece in the league this season - their 18th from a corner.
With goal difference potentially crucial in the final week of the season, Arsenal pushed for more as Eberechi Eze struck the bar - then saw a goalbound close-range header blocked by Maxime Esteve.
Then came a moment of controversy as Havertz put in a high challenge on Lesley Ugochukwu. Referee Paul Tierney booked the Arsenal striker but VAR James Bell looked at serious foul play and opted to stick with the on-field decision.
"It's a horrible one, it's vicious from Havertz," said Gary Neville on co-commentary.
"I think this is a red. There's no way you're getting the ball, you can only hurt the player there.
"I don't think [the VAR call is] right - he's a lucky boy. I'd get him off the pitch straight away."
Burnley did not threaten the Arsenal goal too much, despite a nervy atmosphere at the Emirates, but who knows what would have happened had the Gunners lost a player.
Instead, Arsenal stand on the brink of the title. Arteta's side are nearly there.
Arteta praises defensive resilience - and supports Bournemouth
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta:
"The biggest Bournemouth fan ever! To Andoni, and all the players and all the supporters of Bournemouth, I think we all are because we know what it means if they get a result tomorrow.
"I knew it was going to be tough. I think in the first half we played some of the best football we have played this season. We were very unfortunate not to score two or three goals and then that was the story of the season.
"If we cannot do that, make sure that we are extremely efficient in defending certain moments. Not giving anything away to the opponent and winning the three points.
"The desire every single player shows in their defensive duties, their behaviours, is phenomenal. And the work by the coaches as well, we all know the importance of that and how many results and wins we have because of that."
Jackson: Havertz should have seen red
Burnley caretaker head coach Mike Jackson:
"I've seen it back and the way the game is reffed today - and I don't like people sent off - it's a red card. He's dangerous, leaving the floor, it's cynical to break up play. Disappointed we didn't get that, it changes the game in our favour.
"The speed that it goes at. I know the ref has done a tough job. Frame by frame, you can see that from a number of angles.
Has his team just played against the champions? "Potentially, yeah. There are still games to play. You know what can happen. Take nothing away from that team at all.
"They're really strong in all phases of the game. The one thing that they've got that a lot of Premier League teams don't is that real defensive side. It's their foundation. That will go on to win them the title."
Analysis: This was the story of Arsenal's season
Sky Sports' Sam Blitz at the Emirates Stadium:
It was a match that sums up Arsenal's entire Premier League season. Set-piece goal, clean sheet, a little bit nervy. But they came out with a win.
Now they have Manchester City where they want them. On Tuesday night, Arsenal will sit back in their homes and see if Pep Guardiola can break the longest unbeaten run in Europe at Bournemouth. Andoni Iraola's side have not lost in the last 16 matches - ahead of his final home game in charge of the Cherries.
What a difference a month makes for Arsenal.
On April 19 they had been beaten by Manchester City. Erling Haaland was in a singing mood about City's title chances - and a banner branded 'Panic on the Streets of London' was unveiled by the City fans.
On May 19, they could be crowned champions.
As Arsenal fans unveiled before the game, it's actually 'Party on the Streets of London'. Arsenal have not conceded a goal from open play since that City game. The defensive solidity is set to get the Gunners over the line.
They are 180 minutes - or possibly just 90 - away from glory.
Neville and Carragher on if the title will be decided on Tuesday
Sky Sports' Gary Neville:
"From a Man City side, that result can hurt them because it is just two games to go for them and one for Arsenal now.
"They may go to the game tomorrow feeling a little bit disappointed with the result today."
Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher:
"You think of the Aston Villa situation, if they win the Europa League and celebrate what are they then like against Man City?
"The last time Oliver Glasner was in a European final, the game before, four days before, he only changed one player.
"Palace don't have a huge squad, so if you go back on what Oliver Glasner's done in the past, he played pretty much a full-strength team.
"The nerves will really kick in for Arsenal this week if Man City win tomorrow. You saw tonight - it was a little bit edgy.
"It might do them a little bit of good being away from home. You can feel the tension in the stadium."
