Arsenal can move to brink vs Burnley

Arsenal play Burnley on Monday night knowing three points would leave the Premier League title race in their hands for one more week. The official league table shows Mikel Arteta’s side first on 79 points from 36 matches, two points ahead of Manchester City, who have also played 36. Burnley arrive at Emirates Stadium already relegated, but the arithmetic at the top remains simple: Arsenal cannot seal the title on Monday, yet a win would force City to respond on Tuesday. The match is scheduled for 8 p.m. in London at Emirates Stadium, according to Arsenal and the Premier League. The league’s fixture page lists it as Matchweek 37, with Paul Tierney as referee. NBC Sports said Arsenal “control their own destiny” with two league matches left, a description that matches the current table and schedule. ### How close can Arsenal get with a win over Burnley? Arsenal can move from 79 points to 82 with a victory on May 18. That would extend their lead over Manchester City from two points to five, at least overnight, before City play Bournemouth on May 19. Manchester City would still have two matches left after Arsenal-Burnley kicks off, so Arsenal cannot become champions on Monday. (premierleague.com) But a home win would remove any margin for error for Pep Guardiola’s side in their game at Bournemouth, because any dropped points there would leave Arsenal one result away from the title on the final weekend. ### What exactly is the table before kickoff? (premierleague.com) The Premier League’s official standings list Arsenal first with 24 wins, seven draws and five defeats, for 79 points and a goal difference of plus-42. Manchester City are second with 23 wins, eight draws and five defeats, for 77 points and a goal difference of plus-43. Burnley are 19th with 21 points from 36 matches. (premierleague.com) That means Arsenal’s advantage is points, not goal difference. If Arsenal and City finish level on points, City currently hold the edge on goal difference by one goal, based on the official table published before Monday’s match. ### Why can’t Arsenal clinch the title on Monday night? Manchester City still have two league fixtures remaining after Monday: away to Bournemouth on May 19 and at home to Aston Villa on May 24. (premierleague.com) Even if Arsenal beat Burnley, City could still reach 83 points by winning both of those matches. Arsenal’s final league match is away to Crystal Palace on May 24. (premierleague.com) So Monday can change the pressure on the race, but it cannot end it. The title will remain mathematically open at full time in north London. ### What is Burnley playing for if relegation is already confirmed? Burnley have already been relegated from the Premier League, according to the league’s relegation update published on May 17. (premierleague.com) The same update said Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers will finish in the bottom three and go down, with one more relegation place still unresolved. (premierleague.com) The official table places Burnley on 21 points with a minus-36 goal difference, leaving them unable to climb out of the bottom three with two matches left. That removes survival stakes from Monday’s game, but not its effect on the title race. ### What comes next after Arsenal-Burnley? Bournemouth host Manchester City on Tuesday, May 19, at the Vitality Stadium, with the Premier League fixture page listing an 11:30 a.m. start in U.S. (premierleague.com) Eastern time and Manchester City’s club site listing 7:30 p.m. in the UK. Arsenal then close their league season away to Crystal Palace on Sunday, May 24. (premierleague.com) May 24 is the last scheduled league date for both title contenders. Arsenal’s fixture page lists Crystal Palace away that day, while the Premier League schedule shows Manchester City at home to Aston Villa. (premierleague.com 1) (premierleague.com 2)