Kai Havertz moved Arsenal closer to the Premier League title as he broke the deadlock in their clash with relegated Burnley eight minutes before half-time at Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta’s men had been frustrated for much of the first half against a surprisingly resolute Burnley side, with Leandro Trossard hitting the post and Bukayo Saka seeing claims for a penalty dismissed by VAR after he went down when attempting to turn a left-wing cross home.
But outrage from Saka and the home fans soon turned to elation as the England winger’s set-piece delivery led to the opening goal.
Martin Odegaard saw a vicious effort deflected wide, and that afford Havertz the opportunity to rise highest and head home Saka’s cross from point-blank range.
Saka went close to making it 2-0 with a superb curling effort that bent narrowly wide, but Arsenal ended the first half 45 minutes from taking a five-point lead at the top.
Should they do so, then a Manchester City slip-up at Bournemouth on Tuesday would see Arsenal crowned Premier League champions for the first time since the ‘Invincibles’ season of 2003-04.
