MATCH REPORT: ARSENAL 1

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MATCH REPORT: ARSENAL 1 - 0 BURNLEY

Burnley defeated in the capital

2026-05-18T22:27:37.811Z

MATCH REPORT: ARSENAL 1 - 0 BURNLEY

Burnley defeated in the capital

2026-05-18T22:27:37.811Z

Burnley defeated in the capital

Burnley produced a brave and spirited display, but came up just short against Arsenal on Monday night.

Kai Havertz scored the only goal of the game at the Emirates Stadium, as Mikel Arteta's side ground out a key victory in their pursuit of the Premier League title.

Havertz was lucky to still be on the pitch midway through the second half though, when a VAR check adjudged his studs up challenge down the back of Lesley Ugochukwu's calf to only warrant a booking, when replays suggested it appeared worthy of a red.

On a balmy night in the capital, the Clarets started brightly and won a couple of early corners, with Florentino’s strike fizzing just wide of David Raya’s goal, in what was a positive start for the visitors.

Arsenal soon grew into the clash and began to apply pressure on the away side, with Leandro Trossard’s stinging effort from outside the area bouncing off the post.

MATCH REPORT: ARSENAL 1 - 0 BURNLEY - Image 1

With no real chances created for the Gunners as the game reached the midway mark, Burnley carved open a great opportunity on the counter attack.

The move started with Zian Flemming spreading the ball out wide to Loum Tchaouna, with the winger racing down the right, before picking out an unmarked Hannibal at the back-post, but the Tunisian international could only steer his effort wide of the target under pressure from Declan Rice.

Mikel Arteta’s men responded to that opportunity with one of their own - first Bukayo Saka saw his dinked lob creep past the far-post, before Maxime Esteve made a crucial sliding block to deny Havertz unleashing an effort on goal from inside the area.

As the hosts began to turn it up a notch, a VAR penalty check was then turned down for the Gunners, after Saka had gone over inside the box, before Martin Odegaard saw his effort deflect wide for a corner.

From the resulting corner, Arsenal opened the scoring. Havertz rose highest to meet Saka’s corner to head in from close range and give the London side a half-time advantage.

MATCH REPORT: ARSENAL 1 - 0 BURNLEY - Image 2

Eberechi Eze gifted the Clarets an early chance in the opening stages of the second-half, but Jaidon Anthony could only curl his effort over.

Up at the other end, Eze was involved again, but this time his half-volley sailed over the crossbar.

Burnley were pushing for an equaliser and had another chance a few moments later. Ugochukwu stole the ball from Cristhian Mosquera, before laying it off for Tchaouna, who found Hannibal, but the midfielder struck well over from fully 25-yards out.

With the game approaching the 70th minute, there was a VAR check for a possible red card for Havertz following a rash challenge on Ugochukwu. Yet despite a lengthy check, VAR deemed it to be a yellow card only.

Burnley continued to cause a threat late on, but Arsenal held on to edge a step closer to the title.

Arsenal: Raya, Saliba, Mosquera, Magalhães, Saka, Odegaard (Zubimendi 90), Eze (Lewis-Skelly 73), Trossard (Martinelli 90), Havertz (Gyokeres 73), Calafiori (Hincapiè 73), Rice

Unused substitutes: Arrizabalaga, Jesus, Madueke, Dowman

Burnley: Weiss, Walker, Estève (Humphreys 83), Tuanzebe, Ugochukwu (Laurent 69), Anthony, Florentino (Ward-Prowse 78), Tchaouna (Bruun Larsen 83), Flemming, Pires, Mejbri (Amdouni 69)

Unused substitutes: Dúbravka, Hartman, Worrall, Edwards

Goals: Havertz 38'