Mikel Arteta quipped he’d become the “biggest ever” Bournemouth fan after Arsenal edged Burnley 1‑0 on Monday. The late goal, a first‑half strike from Kai Havertz, kept the Gunners within touching distance of their first league crown since 2004.

Arsenal’s win follows a nervy 1‑0 victory over West Ham, leaving them three points clear at the summit. Havertz’s finish not only broke the deadlock but also underscored a surge in form that has steadied a side that once seemed floundering.

Manchester City must now triumph at the Vitality Stadium to preserve any chance of a title decider on the final day. Arteta admitted he’ll be glued to the television, dubbing himself Bournemouth’s biggest supporter for 24 hours, though he joked his hair might not survive the stress.

Should Arsenal defeat Crystal Palace on the season’s closing match, they will lift the Premier League trophy for the first time in 22 years. That scenario would render Arteta’s fleeting Bournemouth fandom a footnote to history rather than a lingering distraction.