Mikel Arteta watched his team prepare to host Burnley at the Emirates Stadium on Monday with Arsenal two points clear at the top of the Premier League and a simple instruction: finish the job.
Victory would lift Arsenal five points ahead before Manchester City’s game against Bournemouth on Tuesday, and leave City needing a result to keep their own hopes alive — a sequence that, if reversed, would hand Arsenal their first Premier League title in 22 years after three consecutive second-placed finishes.
Chris Sutton did not hide his view on the stakes. "It is Arsenal's title. They are not going to blow it now, against Burnley," he said, adding: "I can see it being quite a comfortable evening for the Gunners, actually." Sutton predicted Arsenal would make an early breakthrough: "The home crowd will be nervous until they score but I can see Mikel Arteta's side making an early breakthrough." He also warned that, despite Burnley still fighting, "they have frustrated their own supporters much more than they have frustrated the opposition this season."
That catalogue of numbers and near-misses is what makes Monday night count. Arsenal, chasing to end a 22-year wait for top-flight glory, entered the match two points clear of Manchester City. A win at the Emirates would not only increase that cushion to five points but also shift the onus onto City in their Tuesday fixture with Bournemouth — the simplest path to the title laid out on the table for Arsenal.
Arteta, who was appointed manager in 2019, framed the moment as the culmination of a multi-year project. "When you see the trajectory and what we've built in the last few years, and especially in the last four years in terms of consistency, the amount of points and wins, we should have a few big trophies already," he said. "That only happens in this league, but that drives you to be even better. So, we still have to make that step of finalising the business and that's the opportunity we have in the next three days."
The manager emphasised the collective effort and the narrow margins at this level. "There are so many people obviously that contribute daily to create and to build what in our eyes was the best path and the best way to do it," he said. "A lot of things have to be aligned because the level is extraordinary here in the Premier League, but we are closer now."
There are complications. Ben White joined Jurrien Timber on the sidelines because of injury, a shrinkage of options Arteta acknowledged when he said, "There are three games to go now. The only one that matters now is Burnley and with the circumstances we have and certain injuries, how can we go out there and be the best version of ourselves?" He stressed resilience: "I think part of challenging the big trophies, especially in this country, is being very adaptable and finding a way within the circumstances to remain very competitive and resilient."
Burnley arrive bruised but stubborn; their draw with Aston Villa last week was a reminder they can still scrabble for points, but Sutton argued that has often been self-defeating. "As much as Burnley are still scrapping, which they showed with their draw against Aston Villa last week, they have frustrated their own supporters much more than they have frustrated the opposition this season," he said. Sutton insisted Arsenal's quality would tell: "Arsenal are a much better team and, whether it comes from a set-play or open play, they will have too much for them." Sky Sports scheduled live coverage from 6.30pm, with kick-off at 8pm.
Arteta closed the pre-match build-up by forcing himself into the present. "I try to bring my thoughts to the present and I'm living the moment and just focusing on what is really important today, to continue the journey in the right way and prepare for Burnley," he said — a reminder that for Arsenal, the title remains a series of small, consecutive demands rather than a single coronation.
