Arsenal on brink of Premier League title, Villa slip up in Champions League chase

LONDON: Arsenal are on the brink of a first Premier League title in 22 years after surviving a hugely contentious finale to beat West Ham 1-0, while Aston Villa were held 2-2 at Burnley on Sunday.

Leandro Trossard’s 83rd minute goal reestablished the Gunners’ five-point lead over Manchester City.

But West Ham had an equalizer deep into stoppage time ruled out after a VAR review for a foul on goalkeeper David Raya before Callum Wilson fired home.

“They showed a lot of courage and bravery to stand out and give the opportunity to the referee to have a look at the action,” said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.

“When you see the picture, there is no question that it is a clear foul. They were very brave. The action deserved that.”

Arsenal also did north London rivals Tottenham a favor in the battle to beat the drop as they can move four points clear of West Ham with victory over Leeds on Monday.

West Ham’s defeat means Crystal Palace, Leeds and Nottingham Forest are all now mathematically safe.

Victories over already-relegated Burnley and Palace, just days before the latter play in the Conference League final, will end Arsenal’s long wait to be champions of England.

Fresh from sealing their place in the Champions League final with victory over Atletico Madrid in midweek, Arteta’s men burst out of the blocks.

Mads Hermansen made a brilliant save to deny Trossard from a corner before the Belgian’s follow-up header came back off the crossbar.

But the nerves that have accompanied Arsenal’s quest to finally get over the line, after finishing second for the past three years, took hold after half-time.

Raya had to make a huge save to deny Mateus Fernandes giving West Ham the lead with little over 10 minutes to play.

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