Arsenal Beat Burnley 1-0 as Kai Havertz Heads In Bukayo Saka Corner
Image: The Times

Arsenal Beat Burnley 1-0 as Kai Havertz Heads In Bukayo Saka Corner

18 May, 2026.Sports.11 sources

Key Takeaways

  • Havertz headed in Bukayo Saka's corner to give Arsenal a 1-0 win over Burnley.
  • Arsenal moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League.
  • Kai Havertz avoided a red card for a high tackle on Lesley Ugochukwu.

Havertz edges Burnley

Arsenal beat Burnley 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Monday as Kai Havertz headed in Bukayo Saka’s corner to give the Gunners a 37th-minute lead.

Arsenal are on the brink of ending a 22-year wait to win the Premier League after beating Burnley 1-0 to open up a five-point lead at the top

Al JazeeraAl Jazeera

The match kept the title race tense, with the BBC describing Havertz as “lucky” to avoid a red card after he slid in and his studs caught Lesley Ugochukwu on his left calf.

Image from Al Jazeera
Al JazeeraAl Jazeera

Mikel Arteta’s side moved one step closer to winning a first Premier League title since 2004, with the result putting them within one win of the trophy.

NBC Sports said Manchester City play at Bournemouth on Tuesday and that if City lose or draw, the title will be secured for Arteta’s side.

Arsenal’s narrow margin also meant the Emirates was “rocking” as Arteta celebrated vigorously after the final whistle, while Arsenal held on for a nervy 1-0 win.

Debate over VAR call

Gary Neville, commentating for Sky Sports, said of Havertz’s challenge: “Vicious from Havertz. He is miles away from the ball.”

Neville added, “I don't think that is right - he's a lucky boy. I'd get him off the pitch straight away.”

Image from BBC
BBCBBC

The BBC reported that referee Paul Tierney booked Havertz and that video assistant referee James Bell did not advise him to watch the incident back on a pitchside monitor.

The Premier League Match Centre later issued a statement saying: “The referee’s call of yellow card to Havertz was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the challenge deemed not to be serious foul play.”

BBC Radio 5 Live featured former England goalkeeper Rob Green, who said: “Studs up, both feet off the ground, it's high.”

Title stakes and next matches

Al Jazeera also set out a scenario for the final day, saying that even if City ends the Cherries’ 16-game unbeaten run and beat Aston Villa, Arsenal would secure the title with a victory at Crystal Palace on Sunday.

NBC Sports added that Arsenal go to Palace at the same time, where a win guarantees the PL title, and that Burnley’s last Premier League match for at least a year kicks off at 11am ET Sunday at home to Wolves.

The BBC noted that Arsenal have not had a player sent off in the Premier League this season, while earlier this month the Premier League's key match incidents panel said defender Gabriel should have been dismissed against Manchester City on 19 April.

Looking beyond the league, NBC Sports said Arsenal will then go to Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary to face Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League Final.

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