Mikel Arteta says Arsenal will rely on Bournemouth to keep the Premier League title race alive when Manchester City visit Vitality Stadium on Tuesday. Arsenal beat Burnley 1-0 at Emirates Stadium on Monday, thanks to Kai Havertz's first-half header. The result moved Arsenal five points ahead of City, with Pep Guardiola's side holding one game in hand before the final day.
City must win that rearranged fixture on the south coast to stay within reach of Arsenal. Arteta confirmed that Arsenal staff will follow events closely but will not disturb Bournemouth's preparations. When asked if support would be behind the Cherries, Arteta replied: "The biggest ever. For Andoni [Iraola] and all the players, and all the people who are supporters of Bournemouth,
I think we all are. We know that means, they get our support. "
Arteta explained that Iraola already has enough motivation and guidance for such a match. "I don't think he [Iraola] needs it [a message]. What he's done in that football club, the transformation, and what they are playing for, I don't think they need anything else. " Arteta then pointed to Burnley's approach at Emirates Stadium, adding: "When you look at how Burnley played today, the spirit that they showed, how difficult they made it, so imagine [on Tuesday]. "
The narrow victory over Burnley extended an impressive late-season surge from Arsenal. Since losing 2-1 to City earlier in the campaign, Arsenal have won four league matches from four. No other Premier League side has matched that perfect run over the same spell, and Arsenal are the only team in that period not to concede a goal.
32 - Arsenal have kept 32 clean sheets this season, six more than any other side in Europe's big-five leagues in all competitions. Locked. pic.twitter.com/41Izj3QRDmOptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 18, 2026
Across all competitions, Arsenal have now kept 32 clean sheets, more than any other club in Europe's top five leagues. That total is six higher than the next best side. On the defensive structure, Arteta said: "I think the desire that every single player shows in their defensive duties, their behaviours, the way they work for each other is phenomenal. It's a lot of work, put in by all the coaches as well, and we all know the importance of that and how many results and wins we have because of that. "
Against Burnley, Arsenal again relied on that resilience after Havertz's headed goal. The forward struck during the first half, and Arsenal then controlled long spells without creating many clear chances. Burnley pushed late on, yet the hosts protected the lead to secure three vital points in the Premier League title race and maintain another clean sheet at Emirates Stadium.
Defeat was harsh on Burnley in several ways, and it continued a difficult league campaign. The loss was Burnley's 24th in the Premier League this season, equalling the club's highest number of defeats in a league season. Burnley also lost 24 league games in 2009-10 and repeated that figure again in 2023-24.
| Burnley season | League defeats |
|---|---|
| 2009-10 | 24 |
| 2023-24 | 24 |
| 2025-26 | 24 |
Arsenal Premier League title race and Burnley frustration
Burnley also felt aggrieved by the decision not to dismiss Havertz in the second half. The Arsenal forward caught Loum Tchaouna with a poor late challenge but received only a yellow card. Burnley interim boss Mike Jackson told BBC Sport: "In today's game, it is a red card and it is dangerous," Jackson told BBC Sport. "He could have injured him as well. That means they go down to 10 with 20 minutes to go - we are still in the game. "
As the season moves towards the final day, Arsenal's position is clear. Arteta's team have built a five-point cushion and a superior defensive record, yet City still control part of the outcome with that trip to Bournemouth. The result at Vitality Stadium will shape whether Arsenal's clean-sheet strength and recent winning run are enough for a first league title since 2003-04.
