Arsenal's ugly, painful Burnley win will give Man City hope they could yet nick title

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This was supposed to be the night that Arsenal took charge and marched towards the Premier League title.

Instead, they stumbled over the line with a night of nerves which ended with the supposed champions-in-waiting time wasting and running down the clock against already relegated Burnley.

Normally you would say the three points was all that mattered and Kai Havertz secured those with a first half header. But that was not the case. It was painful, ugly and was far from convincing.

Instead, you can bet that title rivals Manchester City will have been watching and thinking they could yet nick the title.

In fact, it will give City greater encouragement that they can present Pep Guardiola with one hell of a leaving present as the Spaniard looks set to leave the Etihad this summer.

City need to win at Bournemouth on Tuesday night to stay in the race but they will be more motivated after watching Arsenal’s jittery display.

If they can take it to the final day then Arsenal’s nerves will be even more shredded at Crystal Palace on the final day of the season.

Judging by this nervy night, that is a trip they will not want to have to make to Selhurst Park with City still breathing down their necks.

They looked like a bag of nerves on a night when they were supposed to rack up goals against Burnley just in case it comes down to goal difference.

The vast majority of the crowd stayed after the final whistle to clap and cheer as Arsenal’s players went on a lap of appreciation.

Mikel Arteta sounded very hoarse as he thanked the crowd for their support - and no wonder because you can be sure that he would have shouted his heart out at his players through the game.

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Burnley defended well, sat deep and made life difficult but Arsenal were sloppy, sluggish and nervous. The season and nerves caught up with them.

They could yet win the title and also the Champions League as they are in the final in Budapest against Paris Saint Germain on May 30.

But they will have to play a lot better than this because they just about tripped, stumbled and dragged themselves across the line.

All of the pre-match build up was about “greet the bus” and red flares to turn it into a party to celebrate the impending title which would be their first in 22 years.

Instead, Arsenal did not start well and never really found a gear or rhythm all night. Leandro Trossard hit the post after 15 minutes. That would have helped.

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But it took Bukayo Saka’s corner to find Havertz unmarked and he glanced home from close range. The roof came off the place.

That was a landmark for Saka because it was his 50th Premier League assist and he is fifth all-time with Dennis Bergkamp leading the way on 94 while he joins club legends like Thierry Henry, Cesc Fabregas and Mesut Ozil in the list.

Eberechi Eze went close twice but Arsenal laboured and created little. On came Viktor Gyokeres and he ran himself ragged trying to chase down loose balls and kill the game off.

But while it remained 1-0, Burnley grew more dangerous even if Arsenal keeper David Raya never really had to make a huge save all night.

Havertz got lucky after he made a nasty-looking challenge on Lesley Ugochukwe and was fortunate that the VAR check did not result in him being sent off.

Instead, Arsenal just about held on for the win, the three points but it is hard to know whether belief will be strengthened after that.

At least they got to enjoy the night with the fans and they must now be hoping Bournemouth can win the title for them on Tuesday night. Because a final day shoot-out may just be too much for Arsenal’s nerves.

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