{"id":2176,"date":"2026-05-19T02:18:44","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T02:18:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/?p=2176"},"modified":"2026-05-19T02:18:44","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T02:18:44","slug":"resolute-arsenal-do-it-the-hard-way-but-premier-league-title-now-within-grasp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/?p=2176","title":{"rendered":"Resolute Arsenal do it the hard way but Premier League title now within grasp"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"main\">\n<div class=\"hydrate-root sc-1ihz57b-0\" data-component=\"Newsletter\" data-loading=\"lazy\" data-theme-name=\"independent\">\n<div data-theme-wrapper=\"independent\" style=\"display:contents\">\n<aside class=\"sc-y4bm30-0 jwWhkK newsletter-component sc-1ge0fwe-0\" data-newsletter-key=\"receiveIndyFootballNews\">\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-2 kcLSBk\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/newsletters\/miguelDelaney1_1.png\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Miguel Delaney: Inside Football\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE\"\/><\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-1 inRDZn\">\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-3\">\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-4 hfveGa\">\n<p><h3 class=\"sc-y4bm30-5 sc-y4bm30-6 fvoxRM cLEJmn\">Join the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletter and go beyond the game with exclusive insights<\/h3>\n<h3 class=\"sc-y4bm30-5 sc-y4bm30-8 fvoxRM iTZFOX\">Join the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletter<\/h3>\n<h3 class=\"sc-y4bm30-5 sc-y4bm30-7 fvoxRM iGYpOF\">Join the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletter<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p><svg class=\"sc-eaj12q-0 hKcUSR sc-culv3z-0 eifaJK sc-1ix0cah-0 PYnPb sc-y4bm30-10 fUEDPX\"><use href=\"#600f53465147d717\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-2 kcLSBk sc-y4bm30-9 iQYNfz\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/newsletters\/miguelDelaney1_1.png\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Miguel Delaney: Inside Football\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><button class=\"sc-1aus1tj-1 eddIzA sc-y4bm30-13 gTCBRF\">TRY 1 MONTH FOR FREE<\/button><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Still one hand on the title, but only after <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/arsenal\">Arsenal<\/a> dragged themselves that bit closer. <\/p>\n<p>If the story of the 2025-26 season is indeed to end with a first <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/premier-league\">Premier League<\/a> crown in 22 years, it will be with a script that has stayed as resolute as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/mikel-arteta\">Mikel Arteta<\/a>\u2019s approach. This had <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/sport\/football\/arsenal-burnley-live-score-result-premier-league-b2978733.html\" title=\"Arsenal v Burnley LIVE: Nervy Gunners clinging to narrow lead in crunch Premier League clash\">all of the usual ingredients<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>A set-piece goal. A 1-0. A VAR controversy. A lot of nerves. Arsenal again did it the hard way. They also, however, did enough. At least for now.<\/p>\n<p>They got the victory over <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/burnley\">Burnley<\/a> that puts them within one win of the title. It might yet be sooner than that if Manchester City fail to win at Bournemouth on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n<p>Given the way this title race has emotionally ebbed and flowed, too, it\u2019s hard not to wonder how this very win and \u2013 maybe more relevantly \u2013 the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/sport\/football\/pep-guardiola-man-city-exit-premier-league-b2968960.html\" title=\"Pep Guardiola reportedly set for shock Man City exit\">news of Pep Guardiola\u2019s pending departure<\/a> will affect his side.<\/p>\n<p>Maybe Arsenal could do with that. Any team would idealise winning the title on the pitch themselves, but do they really want to go through this torture again?<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-awdjp1-2 cbpRGD sc-awdjp1-3 image align-center\">\n<figure class=\"sc-1cbdeug-0 cXcwgU\">\n<div data-gallery-length=\"6\" class=\"sc-awdjp1-0 bbzJdt\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/18\/22\/2026-05-18T211117Z_256759426_UP1EM5I1ITKDP_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-ARS-BUR.JPG\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/18\/22\/2026-05-18T211117Z_256759426_UP1EM5I1ITKDP_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-ARS-BUR.JPG?quality=75&amp;width=320&amp;auto=webp 320w, https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/18\/22\/2026-05-18T211117Z_256759426_UP1EM5I1ITKDP_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-ARS-BUR.JPG?quality=75&amp;width=640&amp;auto=webp 640w\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Kai Havertz scored the only goal of the game\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-1cbdeug-1 sc-1cbdeug-3 YlsWU hgzWpY\">Kai Havertz scored the only goal of the game<span class=\"sc-1cbdeug-7 gjqsiM\"> <!-- -->(<!-- -->Reuters<!-- -->)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-awdjp1-2 cbpRGD sc-awdjp1-3 image align-center\">\n<figure class=\"sc-1cbdeug-0 cXcwgU\">\n<div data-gallery-length=\"6\" class=\"sc-awdjp1-0 dfOGNL\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/18\/22\/2026-05-18T212212Z_1170174633_UP1EM5I1NCYJ8_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-ARS-BUR.JPG\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/18\/22\/2026-05-18T212212Z_1170174633_UP1EM5I1NCYJ8_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-ARS-BUR.JPG?quality=75&amp;width=320&amp;auto=webp 320w, https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/18\/22\/2026-05-18T212212Z_1170174633_UP1EM5I1NCYJ8_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-ARS-BUR.JPG?quality=75&amp;width=640&amp;auto=webp 640w\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Arsenal are now on the brink of a first title for 22 years\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-1cbdeug-1 sc-1cbdeug-3 YlsWU hgzWpY\">Arsenal are now on the brink of a first title for 22 years<span class=\"sc-1cbdeug-7 gjqsiM\"> <!-- -->(<!-- -->Reuters<!-- -->)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>In normal circumstances, a display like this \u2013 certainly that in the second half \u2013 would look rather wanting before a trip to Oliver Glasner\u2019s Crystal Palace on the final day.<\/p>\n<p>Except, these aren\u2019t normal circumstances, and it might not even be a normal Palace given they have the Uefa Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano three days later.<\/p>\n<p>Everyone has to just do what they must \u2013 including Arsenal. It has just so rarely been smooth for them.<\/p>\n<p>There was a lngthy spell when it had the look, and occasionally the feel, of one of those painfully long days that Arsenal have been eventually expected to suffer.<\/p>\n<p>Arteta\u2019s side did actually start well, as they constantly looked to force the issue. A problem was how deep and robustly Burnley were defending. The Premier League\u2019s 19th side may not have much quality, but they did have a lot of bodies in the box.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-awdjp1-2 cbpRGD sc-awdjp1-3 image align-center\">\n<figure class=\"sc-1cbdeug-0 cXcwgU\">\n<div data-gallery-length=\"6\" class=\"sc-awdjp1-0 hYfVkB\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/18\/22\/2026-05-18T211502Z_1658734821_UP1EM5I1N10IJ_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-ARS-BUR.JPG\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/18\/22\/2026-05-18T211502Z_1658734821_UP1EM5I1N10IJ_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-ARS-BUR.JPG?quality=75&amp;width=320&amp;auto=webp 320w, https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/18\/22\/2026-05-18T211502Z_1658734821_UP1EM5I1N10IJ_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-ARS-BUR.JPG?quality=75&amp;width=640&amp;auto=webp 640w\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Mikel Arteta\u2019s resolute approach eventually paid off\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-1cbdeug-1 sc-1cbdeug-3 YlsWU hgzWpY\">Mikel Arteta\u2019s resolute approach eventually paid off<span class=\"sc-1cbdeug-7 gjqsiM\"> <!-- -->(<!-- -->Reuters<!-- -->)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>And, with every Arsenal attempt at a probing pass or penetrating run, there was always a defender there to deal with it. A cross was sent back out for a throw-in, a through ball for a corner.<\/p>\n<p>And from these came that feeling of every frustrated move frittering time away.<\/p>\n<p>Leandro Trossard smacked the post. Eberechi Eze rushed one of his long shots. Martin Odegaard had an opening just deflected wide, when it looked like the goal would finally come. It wasn\u2019t far away&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Arsenal\u2019s series of corners had initially resulted in increased frustration, as they consistently opted for the short pass. That had admittedly worked against Newcastle for a fine Eze opener, but Burnley weren\u2019t allowing that space.<\/p>\n<p>The tactic soon became clear, when crucial space opened up from another corner. Arsenal had evidently been developing a decoy. With opposition sides having figured out their first option of the in-swinging corner, they had to keep them second-guessing.<\/p>\n<p>This was how.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-awdjp1-2 cbpRGD sc-awdjp1-3 image align-center\">\n<figure class=\"sc-1cbdeug-0 cXcwgU\">\n<div data-gallery-length=\"6\" class=\"sc-awdjp1-0 bYpVzt\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/18\/22\/babd908fad9b055e701fa6f8ce57c1e1Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzc5MjI0MzEx-2.84664995.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/18\/22\/babd908fad9b055e701fa6f8ce57c1e1Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzc5MjI0MzEx-2.84664995.jpg?quality=75&amp;width=320&amp;auto=webp 320w, https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/18\/22\/babd908fad9b055e701fa6f8ce57c1e1Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzc5MjI0MzEx-2.84664995.jpg?quality=75&amp;width=640&amp;auto=webp 640w\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Kai Havertz rose highest to nod in the only goal\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-1cbdeug-1 sc-1cbdeug-3 YlsWU hgzWpY\">Kai Havertz rose highest to nod in the only goal<span class=\"sc-1cbdeug-7 gjqsiM\"> <!-- -->(<!-- -->PA Wire<!-- -->)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Another issue on the night, however, was that it had been necessary to second-guess some of Havertz\u2019s decisions. He wasn\u2019t having one of his best games, putting in one of those displays where he makes some strange choices \u2013 to say nothing of the potential red-card challenge on Lesley Ugochukwu.<\/p>\n<p>One was a bizarre pass across goal. Another was almost seeming to move the other way from one <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/bukayo-saka\">Bukayo Saka<\/a> cross.<\/p>\n<p>He didn\u2019t do that for the next, though. On 37 minutes, as Saka finally swung one of those corners in, there was Havertz to rise and head in.<\/p>\n<p>Arsenal weren\u2019t exactly calm, though. If anything, the mood went in a different direction. They now had something to lose, rather than a game to win. And while they were still attacking, the second goal just wouldn\u2019t come.<\/p>\n<p>Eze again had an effort narrowly wide, Saka smashed into the side-netting and Havertz\u2019s strange choices continued. As Arsenal became a little more desperate to keep the game secure, they lost a bit of control. Havertz certainly did.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-awdjp1-2 cbpRGD sc-awdjp1-3 image align-center\">\n<figure class=\"sc-1cbdeug-0 cXcwgU\">\n<div data-gallery-length=\"6\" class=\"sc-awdjp1-0 hpYOfs\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/18\/22\/11f45bef6352cc2b8e3e7279c900522dY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzc5MjI0NDU0-2.84665338.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/18\/22\/11f45bef6352cc2b8e3e7279c900522dY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzc5MjI0NDU0-2.84665338.jpg?quality=75&amp;width=320&amp;auto=webp 320w, https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/18\/22\/11f45bef6352cc2b8e3e7279c900522dY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzc5MjI0NDU0-2.84665338.jpg?quality=75&amp;width=640&amp;auto=webp 640w\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Havertz escaped with a yellow for an ugly lunge on Lesley Ugochukwu\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-1cbdeug-1 sc-1cbdeug-3 YlsWU hgzWpY\">Havertz escaped with a yellow for an ugly lunge on Lesley Ugochukwu<span class=\"sc-1cbdeug-7 gjqsiM\"> <!-- -->(<!-- -->PA Wire<!-- -->)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>He lunged in wildly on Ugochukwu and was lucky not to get sent off. That was also after a lengthy VAR review.<\/p>\n<p>Arteta had no response but to take him off, while making another series of subs to try and make his team more robust. Martin Zubimendi was even brought on for added control, that was never quite reclaimed.<\/p>\n<p>They finished desperately beating a Burnley cross away, as Arteta berated the fourth official for the extra time played. By then, the match had ticked into the 99th minute.<\/p>\n<p>The final whistle didn\u2019t bring the end of their 22-year wait. But it is now painfully, agonisingly, tantalisingly close. Can it really end any other way?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Join the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletter and go beyond the game with exclusive insights&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2177,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2176","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports"],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2026-05-18T211703Z_1952803832_UP1EM5I1N4DIO_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-ARS-BUR.JPG",1200,800,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2026-05-18T211703Z_1952803832_UP1EM5I1N4DIO_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-ARS-BUR-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2026-05-18T211703Z_1952803832_UP1EM5I1N4DIO_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-ARS-BUR-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2026-05-18T211703Z_1952803832_UP1EM5I1N4DIO_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-ARS-BUR-768x512.jpg",640,427,true],"large":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2026-05-18T211703Z_1952803832_UP1EM5I1N4DIO_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-ARS-BUR-1024x683.jpg",640,427,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2026-05-18T211703Z_1952803832_UP1EM5I1N4DIO_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-ARS-BUR.JPG",1200,800,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2026-05-18T211703Z_1952803832_UP1EM5I1N4DIO_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-ARS-BUR.JPG",1200,800,false],"covernews-slider-full":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2026-05-18T211703Z_1952803832_UP1EM5I1N4DIO_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-ARS-BUR-1115x715.jpg",1115,715,true],"covernews-slider-center":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2026-05-18T211703Z_1952803832_UP1EM5I1N4DIO_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-ARS-BUR-800x500.jpg",800,500,true],"covernews-featured":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2026-05-18T211703Z_1952803832_UP1EM5I1N4DIO_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-ARS-BUR-1024x683.jpg",1024,683,true],"covernews-medium":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2026-05-18T211703Z_1952803832_UP1EM5I1N4DIO_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-ARS-BUR-540x340.jpg",540,340,true],"covernews-medium-square":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2026-05-18T211703Z_1952803832_UP1EM5I1N4DIO_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-ARS-BUR-400x250.jpg",400,250,true]},"author_info":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/?author=1"},"category_info":"<a href=\"https:\/\/betreview.net\/?cat=6\" rel=\"category\">Sports<\/a>","tag_info":"Sports","comment_count":"0","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2176","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2176"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2176\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2177"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2176"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2176"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2176"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}