For the neutral, it was a tough watch. If Premier League titles were decided on style of play, Arsenal would be down the pecking order, that’s for sure.
Mikel Arteta will not care, mind. Arsenal found their way past Burnley to another three points via the method which has saved them umpteen times this season.
Kai Havertz’s header off a Bukayo Saka corner took Arsenal to 19 different Premier League games by which the Gunners had struck from a set-piece (excluding penalties).
That equalled a joint-record by a team in a 38-game season. And now they are one step away from becoming league champions after a 22-year wait.
A nervy night at the Emirates encapsulated what Arsenal have been able to do all season: grind out victories by any means necessary.
To do that on a consistent basis across a campaign rebukes the notion that the Gunners have fluked wins, or are not worthy of top spot.
No team, even those who have also mastered set-pieces, has been able to do the same.
Those ‘1-0 to the Arsenal’ days of George Graham are reminiscent of the Arsenal today – doing just about enough to win, before focusing on the next game.
Kai Havertz’s header off from a Bukayo Saka cornerwas Arsenal’s 19th set-piece goal of the season
The German’s strike set the Gunners on their way to victory against Burnley – and they are now within touching distance of the title
They don’t make it easy, though. By just having a sole goal cushion, the nerves in the stands were palpable.
The stats say Burnley failed to muster a shot on target, but they still looked lively at times and played like a team hellbent on causing a seismic shift in the title race.
In fact, Arsenal only managed two shots on target on target themselves. Though, Havertz’s goal was enough — and should, you’d think, set the Gunners on the way for the title.
Arteta has made his thoughts on referee’s rather clear this season.
When Abdukodir Khusanov got away with pulling Havertz back last month in Manchester City’s 2-1 victory over Arsenal, Arteta was incensed.
And then a week later, against Newcastle, he bemoaned how Nick Pope should’ve been sent off for fouling Viktor Gyokeres when he was nearly running through on goal.
Though, after what Havertz got away with tonight, Arteta will be feeling like a lucky man indeed.
On 68 minutes, Havertz caught Lesley Ugochukwu with studs above his ankle in a reckless tackle full of danger.
It left the home crowd looking sheepish, and the Arsenal players showing signs of worry about what the VAR would decide.
Somehow, a yellow card was adjudged as suitable punishment. After the VAR drama against West Ham last weekend, you can sure bet Arteta will be quiet on refereeing decisions — for now, anyway.
With Arsenal protecting a one-goal lead, Arteta brought on Viktor Gyokeres after 71 minutes.
He immediately became the battering ram which helped the Gunners secure this result.
Viktor Gyokeres made a big impact coming off the bench for Mikel Arteta’s side
The way he pressured the backline and charged into players, holding the ball up when needed, exemplified how much Gyokeres has grown in an Arsenal shirt.
Those tough first few months in north London are fully behind him — and so are the fans.
One of the biggest cheers of the night was borne from Gyokeres winning a throw-in late on after hassling a Burnley player near the touchline.
They now have an appreciation for a man they would often groan at for being a weak link in the frontline.
The way he’s evolved is much credit for the Swede’s willingness to adapt to Arteta’s system.
Arteta could not hide his feelings about Bournemouth’s match against Manchester City tonight.
He joked that he is the ‘biggest-ever’ Bournemouth fan, aware that if Pep Guardiola’s men drop points against the Cherries, the Gunners will be confirmed as champions.
Mikel Arteta joked he will be Bournemouth’s ‘biggest-ever’ fan when they take on Man City on Tuesday night
When asked if he will be a Bournemouth fan for 24 hours. Arteta said: ‘The biggest ever! For Andoni (Iraola) and all the players and all the people that support Bournemouth.
‘I think we are all (fans) because we know that that means that tomorrow if get a result for us.’
It would be a full circle moment, Arteta’s childhood friend in Andoni Iraola doing him a huge favour.
Football works in funny ways.
