Arsenal keep control of their fate ahead of final day - but only after another night of palpitations

Images from a season whose outcome has still yet to be determined : Picture by @YTJourno

Premier League

Arsenal (1) 1 Havertz 37

Burnley (0) 0

Yet another desperately agonising night for Arsenal and their fans saw the Gunners just about get over the line for the win that leaves them still in charge of their own destiny.

But what ought to have been a euphoric stroll against a relegated team in their last home game of the campaign was anyhting but and turned into an evening fraught with nerves and sometimes intolerable tension.

Arsenal really struggled in the second half, just when they should have been enjoying themselves after taking an all-important first-half lead through Kai Havertz.

They seldom looked like bagging the second goal which would have eased all the stress and allowed Burnley to dictate large passages of play - inviting the nightmare scenario of shipping a late equaliser.

The lap of appreciation after the match was more a case of blessed relief that overwhelming excitement. Everyone knows that nothing has been won yet and there are two final matches on which the entire narrative for the season rests.

They could yet win the title tomorrow night if Bournemouth can avoid defeat to Man City at the Vitality Stadium but you just know that somehow City will win there to take it to the last day.

It means the Gunners will have to win at Crystal Palace next Sunday, if it comes to that, because City will edge the goal difference.

Arsenal began brightly enough, suggesting it might not be such a tense night. Havertz smacked a shot just wide. Leandro Trossard thudded a shot against an upright from outside the box. A floating Bukayo Saka chip in from the right missed the inside of the far post by a few inches.

There was also a penalty shout when Saka went down under a challenge from Lucas Pires. Riccardo Calafiori worked himself into space to tee up Martin Odegaard for a shot that was deflected wide.

But the tension was definitely mounting. So what better way to relieve it than with a set piece?

From the resulting corner, Saka's perfect hanging delivery was met by the glancing head of Havertz and suddenly the decision to start with him rather than Viktor Gyokeres seemed very sound. 'Set piece again' rang out.

The combination plays had tempo and urgency and Havertz was finding Saka time and time again. Another dance inside the box ended with Saka curling just off target. Surely more goals would come?

After the interval, Trossard and Havertz combined to give Eberechi Eze an aerial opening, which the midfielder could only head weakly at goal. Eze had moments earlier mishit a volley that went just over the bar.

The slender margin ensured the nerves remained though - and there were a few more shovelled into the mix when Havertz's high challenge on Lesley Ugochukwu had VAR interested. It could easily have been a red card.

Mikel Arteta made a triple substitution to try and inspire another breakthrough after seeing his side start to stall. The margin for error was way too small for comfort.

It got progressively more fraught for the hosts but they somehow managed to tick down those minutes without mishaps. It was just as well Burnley were not too potent in attack.

So it's now all about Selhurst and Budapest - or just maybe Bournemouth and Budapest.

Gunners: (4-3-3) Raya - Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori (Hincapie 72) - Odegaard (Zubimendi 90), Rice, Eze (Lewis-Skelly 72) - Saka, Havertz (Gyokeres 72), Trossard (Martinelli 90)

Clarets: (4-2-3-1) Weiss - Walker, Tuanzebe, Esteve (Humphreys 82), Lucas Pires - Ugochukwu (Laurent 70), Fiorentino (Ward-Prowse 78) - Tchaouna (Bruun Larsen 82), Hannibal (Amdouni 70), Anthony - Flemming

Attendance: 60,274