Tense, tetchy but triumphant - all Arsenal eyes now on Bournemouth

Arsenal have never been closer to a Premier League title under Mikel Arteta’s management.

The Gunners’ 1-0 win over Burnley left them close to ending their 22-year wait for the league crown – and that dream could be realised as early as Tuesday.

Anything but a Manchester City win at Bournemouth would hand Arsenal the title before Sunday’s league finale and ensure Arteta’s side finally shed their nearly-men tag after three straight second-place finishes.

Even a City win on Tuesday would leave Arsenal just needing victory at Crystal Palace on Sunday to clinch the title.

The Gunners will know nothing is won yet but, with no team in Premier League history ever having started the final day on top of the table and not won the title, surely nothing can stop them now?

On a night when reports spread that Pep Guardiola’s City reign was coming to an end, Arsenal fans will believe they are about to welcome in their own new era.

There was a party atmosphere long before the match started at Emirates Stadium. Supporters welcomed the team bus with flares and chants 90 minutes before kick-off.

Kai Havertz’s headed first-half goal proved enough despite a nervy second half, during which the goalscorer escaped a red card for a late challenge.

But Arsenal’s eighth 1-0 win of the season was enough and, while Arteta was coy on where he would watching Tuesday’s match, all eyes are now on Bournemouth.

“It think we deserve to be champions, 100% speaking honestly,” Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice told BBC Sport.

“This season has been our season but Man City have been incredible. Under Pep, you can never rule them out, the ruthlessness of them. But we have put ourselves in a really good position and all I have been saying is that we have to keep going.

“There is one more. Thirty-eight games nearly completed and at the end you can say you are a champion, but you have to go out there on Sunday and perform because Palace is not going to be easy.”

‘One-nil to the Arsenal sums them up’

It seemed fitting that Arsenal have one hand on the Premier League trophy thanks to a 1-0 win – of their past four league matches, all victories, three have ended with that score – with the Gunners conceding just once in their past six.

They have conceded the fewest goals in the league (26), while the last time they conceded in open play came in their defeat by Manchester City on 19 April, which was seven games ago.

The clean sheet against Burnley was Arsenal’s 32nd in all competitions this season.

“I thought that the amount of hair that I have is never going to go away but in this job it is going to test it to the limit,” said Arteta.

“The desire that every single player shows in their defensive duties, their behaviours and the way that they work for each other is phenomenal.

“It’s a lot of work put in by all the coaches as well. And we all know the importance of that and how many results and wins we have because of that.”

It was their 13th 1-0 win of the season. Their playing style, their threat from and reliance on set-pieces, and the relative lack of bigger wins has brought criticism and anxious finishes in equal measure.

Manchester City have a better goal difference – and if they win their final two matches, that does mean Arsenal will have to beat Crystal Palace. A draw, in that scenario, would not be enough.

“In a funny way, Man City might actually have taken that,” ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said on Sky Sports. “Seeing how they played that second half, I think the nerves will really kick in if Man City beat Bournemouth. Crystal Palace are a better team than Burnley even with a few players out.

“Arsenal are going to do it in the fashion of George Graham rather than Arsene Wenger – ‘1-0 to the Arsenal’ probably sums them up.”

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville added: “Arsenal are right on the brink but by goodness they don’t half make it difficult for themselves.

“You have to admire their ability to concentrate and focus and keep to the defensive shape and principles. They keep clean sheets and that’s a rare commodity in the modern game, for a team to see out 1-0 victories like this team can.

“I think it’s going to be enough to see them home.”

‘If they don’t do it, it would be heartbreaking’

So now the focus turns to the south coast and Bournemouth.

Before Arsenal’s match at West Ham last week, Guardiola gave a call of support for the Hammers, hoping they would take crucial points off his title rivals.

But now it was time for Arteta – once Guardiola’s assistant at City – to lend his support elsewhere. He said he would be Bournemouth’s “biggest fan” on Tuesday.

And with so much riding on it, Arsenal supporters will gather to see if they can become champions without playing.

“It’s so big. I remember when we did the double, my kids obviously don’t. They’ve been so consistent for the last few years. All the players, Arteta, they deserve it so much. And if they don’t do it, it’d be heartbreaking,” Arsenal supporter Kym said.

“I’m going to watch it at home and behind a pillow honestly. It’s literally down to the last wire and with Pep Guardiola and Arteta having that such close relationship, it’s going to be, it’s intense.

“I will be on cloud nine for a long time [if Arsenal win the title]. It’s not just me, it’s my whole family, it’s all the supporters, I just feel like it’s been so close so many years and it will mean so much.”

Another supporter said: “I’m nervous. I will be watching it with my friends after work.

“I think you know Bournemouth actually have something to play for so that’s what is in my head. I think Bournemouth could do the job because if they finish sixth and Villa win the Europa League [and finish fifth], they’re in the Champions League.

“So yeah, it’s possible and the same thing with Palace, they got to play for the Conference League.

“I’m saying this to someone that’s been very critical of Arsenal, I’ve never been more confident. I’m not saying I’m very confident but I’ve never been more confident in us getting this over the line.”

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