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Bukayo Saka stars for Arsenal in Burnley win

By on May 19, 2026

Bukayo Saka Leandro Trossard Kai Havertz Arsenal

Arsenal took a monumental step closer to the Premier League title with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Burnley on Monday night at the Emirates Stadium.

Heading into their final home fixture of the 2025–26 season, the Gunners were heavily fancied to defeat already-relegated opponents and move a significant step closer to the Premier League title.

A tense atmosphere surrounded the Emirates Stadium throughout much of the contest, with frustration beginning to grow among supporters as Burnley resisted until the 37th minute.

Arsenal eventually found the breakthrough through another set-piece situation, as Bukayo Saka’s inswinging corner was headed home by Kai Havertz. The goal ensured the Gunners have now scored from a dead-ball situation — excluding penalties — in 19 separate league matches this season.

That strike also allowed Arsenal to equal the record for the highest number of Premier League fixtures featuring a set-piece goal within a 38-game campaign, a mark they could surpass away against Crystal Palace on the final day.

In addition, Monday’s victory represented the sixth Premier League fixture this season in which Arsenal did not allow a single shot on target, matching the highest total recorded in the competition since 2003–04.

That outcome also means the Gunners will officially secure the Premier League crown if Manchester City fail to defeat Bournemouth on Tuesday evening.

Saka sets new personal milestone

Alongside Arsenal’s collective milestones, Saka also reached a number of personal milestones.

His assist for Havertz brought up his 50th assist in the Premier League, making the Englishman only the third Arsenal player to record at least 50 goals and 50 assists in the competition after Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp.

Furthermore, at 24 years and 255 days old, Saka became the second-youngest player ever to reach the 50-goal and 50-assist milestone in the Premier League, behind only Wayne Rooney.

At full time, the 24-year-old had completed 24 of his 32 passes at a 75% success rate and made 57 touches, including nine inside Burnley’s box, according to stats from FOTMOB.

Along with his impressive attacking displays, where he had three shots, created one chance and won three fouls from his constant forays forward, Saka was also solid defensively to preserve Arsenal’s lead and limit Burnley to no shot on target, which marked Arsenal’s 32nd clean sheet of the season in all competitions, the most of any team in Europe’s top five leagues.

He won five tackles, made six recoveries and successfully came out on top in eight of his contested ground duels at a 53% success rate in what was a comprehensive display by the Englishman.