Arsenal v Burnley: Havertz heads Gunners closer to title

Arsenal had to be patient to find the breakthrough.

Arsenal v Burnley: Havertz heads Gunners closer to title

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.