Arsenal are one step away from winning the Premier League

As the Arsenal bus reached the Hornsey Road roundabout, it was greeted by a sea of ​​red and white. A hand-painted banner hung on the railing above The Armory Club shop: “Party on the streets of London”.

There will certainly be a point if Bournemouth takes a point from visiting Manchester City on Tuesday night. Many of the fans who filled the Emirates Stadium for Monday’s 1-0 win over Burnley will again take to the streets of Islington to celebrate the long-awaited Premier League title. After 22 years, they will be just 24 hours apart.

Arsenal are so close now that they can smell it, touch it, taste it. It’s enjoyable and – given some of the carelessness seen in last night’s second half – intoxicating.

City may have beaten Bournemouth, but this win ensures Arsenal’s fate remains in their own hands. A win at Crystal Palace on Sunday in the final round of league fixtures of the season will guarantee them the title. “We are one game away from winning the Premier League,” Arteta said briefly in the post-match press conference.

Arsenal made it tough for already-demoted Burnley, failing to capitalize on their first-half dominance with more than a Kai Havertz-led goal. After the break, they were careless in possession and lacked intensity – but equally, were never in much danger of conceding an equaliser.

This game is unlikely to be remembered on its own merits. For Arsenal, it merely represents getting one step closer to their ultimate goal.

However, it did have some of the characteristics of the Arsenal side. There was one clean sheet – goalkeeper David Raya’s 19th of the Premier League campaign, equaling David Seaman’s club record. There was also a set-piece goal – his 18th from a corner kick, a new Premier League record.

Bukayo Saka knew the outcome of the corner as soon as he gave it. His clipped cross towards the near post in the 37th minute had the perfect trajectory: impossible for the goalkeeper to claim, difficult for Arsenal players to attack.

Seeing his delivery float into the six-yard box, Saka mirrored the actions of the thousands of fans in the adjacent Clock End – giving an instinctive little jump and a nod, as if to say, ‘Go ahead, son’. Havertz bound; The tension broke and Arsenal had a grip on the Premier League title.

Arsenal were unconvincing, but never really uncomfortable.

In stoppage time, Burnley sent a hopeful ball down the line in search of substitute Zeki Amdouni. The Switzerland international was saved from the ball by Arsenal’s penalty-box bouncer supreme, Gabriel. The Brazilian turned and punched the fans, who also cheered and saluted him.

Arteta later said, “I think the desire that every single player shows in his defensive duties, in his behavior, is phenomenal – and the work of the coaches too.” “We all know its importance and how many results and victories we have got because of it.”

It was hoped that Arsenal might be able to capture the title here – that they might be given the chance to lift the trophy in front of their own supporters. It was not to be: April’s stuttering form dragged them into a real title race that could still go down to the final day.

Only 2,687 Arsenal fans will be present at Selhurst Park (at the end, at any rate). The crowd at the Emirates Stadium last night bid farewell to this team – not only to the potential title-decider in south London, but also to the Champions League final in Budapest next Saturday. Win the league, and that game against Paris Saint-Germain could feel like an extraordinary free hit – or at least as close to a free hit as is possible for a Champions League final.

At full time against Burnley, Arteta turned to the crowd with outstretched arms, before hitting out at the injured Jurien Timbers and Mikel Merino, who were watching from the tunnel area. In the center circle, Piero Hincapie fell to his knees in silent prayer.

Then onto the pitch came the substitutes, staff and later friends and family. It was time for Arsenal’s ‘lap of appreciation’ – and Arteta expressed his gratitude to the crowd for the support they have shown this season.

Arteta told them, “It has been a great pleasure to see the transformation and the contribution each of you have made to turn this place into the most beautiful place to play a football game.” His words into the microphone were barely audible over the chanting of his supporters.

“This is the soul of this football club, and each one of you contributes to that, so whenever you step into this stadium make sure (you do). You now have a responsibility to maintain it to these standards, because it makes a huge difference to us and all these fans.”

Arteta also embraced his family as well as former Arsenal team-mate Per Mertesacker, who is leaving his role as the club’s academy manager this summer. Teammates teased Hincapie for losing his shorts and ruining his rear on a dangerous slide. The party is also joined by the dancing Gunnarsaurus, who – at 65 million years old – looks as dashing as ever.

Raya was awarded his third consecutive Premier League Golden Glove – he now has enough for a pair and one to spare. For the big group photo, sports director Andrea Berta was sandwiched between co-owner Josh Kroenke and Miles Lewis-Skelley’s grandmother.

A banner hung on the East Stand reading ‘Mikel knows’ – a play on the alleged omniscience of Arsenal’s previous league-winning manager, Arsene Wenger. The spirit of history floats in the air.

The supporters then dispersed into the night thinking not about the game, but about the season that has passed – and what may yet be yet to come.

This is a massive fortnight for this football club. It could still be a crucial 24 hours.