AGENCIES

Arsenal moved a step closer to ending their 22-year wait for the Premier League title after grinding out a dramatic 1-0 victory over West Ham United on Sunday, restoring a five-point cushion over Manchester City at the top of the table.

Leandro Trossard struck in the 83rd minute at the London Stadium to hand Mikel Arteta’s side a crucial win in a tense title race that continues to swing between the two contenders. Arsenal survived a late scare deep into stoppage time when West Ham thought they had snatched an equaliser, only for VAR to rule the goal out for a foul on goalkeeper David Raya.

City had briefly reduced the gap to two points with a commanding 3-0 win over Brentford on Saturday, bouncing back from their costly 3-3 draw at Everton earlier in the week. Omar Marmoush, Jeremy Doku and Erling Haaland were all on target for Pep Guardiola’s men.

With two league matches remaining, Arsenal now hold destiny in their own hands. Victories over relegated Burnley at the Emirates and Crystal Palace away would guarantee a first league crown since 2004, regardless of City’s results.

The earliest Arsenal can be crowned champions is Monday, May 18, when they host Burnley. For that to happen, City must first fail to beat Crystal Palace on Wednesday. If Guardiola’s side drop points and Arsenal then beat Burnley, the Gunners would move beyond City’s reach with only two matches left for the defending champions.

If City overcome Palace, however, the race will continue at least until their rearranged trip to Bournemouth on 19 May.

Despite the growing excitement around the Emirates, Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly insisted the squad remain focused on the task ahead.

“We have to stay humble,” the teenager said after Sunday’s win. “We are buzzing, but we know that the job is not done. We have got two more finals left.”

Arteta’s side are also preparing for the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain on May 30, raising the possibility of a historic double-winning season.

The title race could yet go down to the finest margins. Arsenal currently hold a goal difference of +42, narrowly ahead of City’s +40. If the teams finish level on points, goal difference and goals scored would determine the champions before head-to-head results come into play.

For now, though, Arsenal have the advantage and after years of near misses, the finish line is finally in sight.