Arsenal defeat Burnley to inch closer to league title

Kai Havertz scored the winning goal to lead Arsenal to a narrow 1-0 win over relegated Burnley to keep the Gunners in control of the English Premier League title race on Monday night.

Mikel Arteta’s side were anxious in the important league match, and an equally anxious crowd was waiting for the UEFA Champions League finalists to deliver in a week they could win the first of two major trophies on the line.

Gabriel Martinelli was handed a start, while Ricardo Calafiori also returned to the side. Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, captain and vice captain respectively also started the match in front of the expectant crowd, as the club claimed an eighth 1-0 win of the season.

Leandro Trossard hit the post from 20 yards and Saka had a penalty call waved off by VAR, but the England international’s corner was confidently met by Havertz’s header for 1-0 lead on 37 minutes. Saka failed to double the lead in first half added time, and the second half was no better with few chances for both sides.

Arsenal however rode the late anxiety to hold on for all three points and a third consecutive league win that moved the Gunners to 82 points, five ahead of Manchester City who have two matches to Arsenal’s one.

Arteta’s side can win the league if City fail to win at Bournemouth tomorrow, or at Crystal Palace on Sunday.