Arsenal return to the Emirates for their final home match of the 2025/26 Premier League season as they host Burnley for a match with massive title stakes for the Gunners.
After a chaotic and pulse-raising 0-1 win at West Ham last weekend, Mikel Arteta’s side have put themselves within touching distance of their first PL title in 22 years. With two wins, Arsenal can claim the title outright over perpetual nemeses Manchester City, whose win over Crystal Palace mid-week has them two points behind Arsenal as the final two match days approach.
Arsenal could not have asked for a more favorable final slate on paper. Burnley are already relegated, while Crystal Palace play in the Europa Conference League final three days after the final match day of the season. Simple, right?
Besides Burnley and Palace, the Gunners face one other opponent – themselves.
Arsenal have made a frustrating habit of making the most statistically “easy” matches look far more difficult than they need to be at times this season. Draws against Wolves and Nottingham Forest, albeit on the road, have been prime examples of opportunities missed, while the Gunners had to dig deep to get a result over Wolves at the Emirates, needing a stoppage own goal to eke out a win.
Arsenal don’t only have to win, they probably need to do so convincingly as well. City closed the goal difference gap with back-to-back 3-0 wins and now sit at +43 to Arsenal’s +42, which means if Arsenal want to be certain about not letting the final match day be a nail biter, they need to lace up their shooting boots, take the handbrake off, and play the way a 1st placed side should against a relegated opponent.
Playing at home one last time and hosting a poor side, can they put aside the nerves to ride the energy of the home support and deliver a home win to bring them to within one win from a title?
Here are three talking points ahead of Monday night’s match:
Know the Enemy
Burnley come to the Emirates with their fate already sealed, as their relegation to the Championship has been confirmed as they sit in 19th place with 21 points and a record of 4W/9D/23L.
The Clarets recent return to the Premier League has been short lived after one season back in the top flight. If it weren’t for an even worse Wolverhampton side, Burnley would be occupying the bottom spot at the table (and still possibly could by the end of the season).
After setting an English all-time record of allowing 0.35 goals per match last season in the Championship, their defense has been at or around the bottom of most major defensive stats in the Prem. They have given up the most goals (71), the most shots (589) and shots on target (202), and they have conceded the most xG against (70.54) in the league.
Defensive stats aside, it would be naive to dismiss them as a pushover before Monday evening. Two matches ago, Burnley fought tooth and nail against Manchester City at Turf Moor before narrowly losing 0-1, with the result sealing their relegation fate. Following that decisive loss, they battled Aston Villa to a 2-2 draw at home, showing that they are still playing for pride despite their impending return to the Championship.
Back in January, they also had a run of matches where they earned several quality draws, first against Manchester United at home before taking a point at Anfield against Liverpool and then drawing with current relegation candidates Tottenham.
The one aspect that will hearten the Gunners is the Clarets’ away record. While they have been decent at home in recent weeks, they have been poor as the away side all season, with only 2 wins to their name on the road. They have only won once as visitors since the turn of the year, having failed to find a victory in their other 9 away matches.
Injuries & Suspensions
Ben White’s season is over after the right back went knee-to-knee against a West Ham player, forcing him off in the first half. On Tuesday, it was confirmed that he suffered damage to his MCL and he has been ruled out through the remainder of the next three matches with hopes he will return for preseason training at the end of the summer.
Riccardo Calafiori reportedly came off with a knock against Villa. Another injury-prone player, his return is in doubt for Monday.
OUT: Mikel Merino (foot), Jurrien Timber (groin), Ben White (knee)
DOUBT: Riccardo Calafiori (knock)
Predicted Lineup
Attack: Trossard, Gyökeres, Saka
Arsenal’s front three has been raising their level at the right time.
Leandro Trossard scored his first goal of the calendar year to play hero for the Gunners. His match winner was a huge weight off his shoulders, especially after several great outings on the left without finding the net. The left is his.
Viktor Gyökeres once again showed that he has added a few new tools to his toolbox. His first touch was excellent, and his passing has come a long way. In front of the home support for the final time of the season, I am sure he will want to show out and repay the fans for their support.
Bukayo Saka had an up and down match against West Ham. Some of that could be chalked up to Ben White’s substitution. Without him behind Saka, the start winger was without a reliable partner. Should Martin Ødegaard get the start on the right, Saka will have a reliable counterpart to link up with as he looks to bounce back.
Midfield: Eze, Rice, Ødegaard
Last Sunday’s win was a reminder of the utterly indispensable nature of Declan Rice.
When Ben White was subbed off with an injury in the first half and Rice was shifted to right back, the midfield’s control immediately evaporated. Martin Zubimendi was unable to provide any stability, and the Hammers enjoyed their best spell of the match before Arteta made the ruthless decision to sub Zubi off in the second half.
With a massive chance to put them one win away from a title, there’s no more time for mucking about. Declan Rice is the midfield metronome, and a start at the 6 is a no-brainer.
In front of him, I think Arteta will look to put his two most technical, attack-minded midfielders on the pitch. Myles Lewis-Skelly has been flourishing in the middle of the park, but the knock to Riccardo Calafiori may see him back at the left back. Eberechi Eze has done admirably on the right of the midfield, but he thrives when playing on the left of the pitch.
On the right, Martin Ødegaard deserves a start after his game-changing performance off the bench. He came in, settled the nerves, and pulled every string possible en route to setting up Trossard for the winner. For all of the criticisms of him not showing up in big games, he showed up in spectacular fashion when it mattered most.
Defense: MLS, Gabriel, Saliba, Mosquera
The defense suffered more attrition with White’s injury and the knock to Calafiori.
With White and Jurrien Timber out, it is now Cristhian Mosquera’s time to step up at right back. He played solidly against West Ham in his second half cameo, but he will now need to raise his level to help see the season out.
On the left, there are a number of potential starters. Of the three options in Riccardo Calafiori (if healthy), Piero Hincapie, and Myles Lewis-Skelly, I think Arteta sticks with the youngster. His confidence over the last three matches has been impeccable, and he seems hungry to reestablish himself.
Gabriel and William Saliba at center back, always and forever.
Keeper: Raya
David Raya was THE talking point after last match. In the second half, he made what could potentially be the defining save of the season against Mateus Fernandez before being impeded by two West Ham players leading to the Hammers’ late equalizer being disallowed. He was tremendous when it mattered and didn’t let the importance of the match affect him.
It’s hard to believe that the season is so close to being over. The long marathon is coming to a close, and Arsenal look like they could finally, mercifully end their long title drought. Through all of the hand wringing, whinging, moaning, and all-encompassing noise surrounding the Gunners, they have their destiny in their hands. Closing out the season has been a difficult prospect in recent campaigns. If they want to be the champions, then they’ll need to show out at home one last time.
WHO: Arsenal vs Burnley
WHAT: Premier League match day 37
WHEN: Monday, May 18th, 3:00pm EST/12:00pm PST/8:00pm GMT
WHERE: The Emirates Stadium, London
HOW TO WATCH: Broadcast live on the USA Network
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