Arsenal secured a thrilling 1-0 win over already-relegated Burnley and could be crowned Premier League champions on Tuesday if Manchester City fail to win against Bournemouth.
However, if City beat Cherries, who are unbeaten in 16 games ahead of the game, sky sportsThe Premier League title race goes into its final day.
Tuesday, May 19th at 7pm
Kickoff at 7:30 PM
After the team bus was greeted with raucous support, Arsenal took their time despite Mikel Arteta’s attacking line-up, but their pressure eventually led to a goal.
After Leandro Trossard hit the bar and Martin Odegaard saw a good chance go wide, Kai Havertz nodded in Bukayo Saka’s corner for Arsenal’s 24th league set-piece goal of the season (18th from a corner).
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Kai Havertz heads home to put Arsenal ahead!
With goal difference likely to be decisive in the final week of the season, Arsenal went the extra mile with Ebereci Eze hitting the bar before Maxime Estebe had a close-range header blocked on goal.
Then came a moment of controversy as Havertz mounted a big challenge on Lesley Ugochukwu. Referee Paul Tierney booked the Arsenal striker, but VAR James Bell saw serious foul play and decided to stick to the on-field decision.
In a joint comment, Gary Neville said: “It’s appalling. It’s vicious work by Havertz.”
“I think it’s red. There’s no way to catch the ball. It can only hurt the player there.”
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Kai Havertz avoids sending off despite late challenge
“I don’t think (the VAR call) was right. He’s a lucky boy. I want to get him off the pitch immediately.”
Burnley never posed much of a threat to Arsenal’s goal despite the anxious atmosphere at the Emirates, but who knows what would have happened if the Gunners had lost the player.
Instead, Arsenal faced a title crisis. Arteta’s team is almost there.
Jackson: Havertz should have seen red
Burnley manager Mike Jackson said:
“I saw the way the game was refereed today. I don’t like people getting sent off. It’s a red card. He’s dangerous, he leaves the court and it’s cynical to stop play. I’m disappointed we didn’t get it, the game turned in our favour.
“It’s fast. I know the referee has done a hard job. If you look at it frame by frame, you can see it from different angles.
“Potentially yes. We still have games to play. You know what can happen. Don’t take anything away from that team.”
“They are really strong in every aspect of the game. One thing they have that a lot of Premier League teams don’t have is a real defensive side. That’s their foundation. That’s what will continue to bring them wins.”
Neville and Carragher are talking about whether the title will be decided on Tuesday.
Gary Neville on Sky Sports:
“For Manchester City, the result could be detrimental to them because they now have two games left and Arsenal have one game left.
“They might go to tomorrow’s game feeling a bit disappointed with today’s result.”
Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports:
“If Aston Villa win the Europa League and celebrate, what do you think they will do against Manchester City?
“The last time Oliver Glasner played in a European final, four days before that, he changed only one player.
“Palace don’t have a big squad, so if you look back at what Oliver Glasner has done in the past, he’s played in almost full-strength teams.
“If Manchester City win tomorrow it will be really nerve-wracking for Arsenal this week. You saw it tonight, it was a bit nerve-wracking.”
“Being away from home might help them a bit. You can feel the tension in the stadium.”
More to follow…
