Bukayo Saka is hoping to inspire Arsenal to the Premier League title. (Image: Getty)
* Despite Arsenal’s lead, they can,not officially be crowned Premier League champions tonight regardless of the result. Manchester City’s recent 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace ensured the race must continue at least until City play their next game tomorrow evening against Bournemouth.
* For the Gunners to maintain control, they must secure three points against relegated Burnley. A win tonight moves Mikel Arteta’s side five points clear at the summit, putting maximum pressure on Manchester City to respond in their crucial game in hand at the Vitality Stadium.
* Arsenal fans will have to wait until Tuesday night for a potential coronation. If Arsenal beat Burnley tonight, they will be crowned champions from afar if Manchester City lose or draw against Bournemouth 24 hours later, rendering the final day of the season a mere formality.
* City’s win over Palace moved them marginally ahead on goal difference (+43 to +42). Arsenal will aim for a high-scoring victory tonight to reclaim the goal difference lead, which could be the deciding factor if both teams finish level on points after 38 games.
* If both title rivals win their next fixtures, the race goes to the final day on May 24. Arsenal would head to Crystal Palace with a two-point advantage, meaning a win in their last game would guarantee the trophy regardless of City’s result against Aston Villa.
* Should Arsenal only draw tonight, they would sit three points ahead of City. If City then beat Bournemouth, they would leapfrog Arsenal into first place based on goal difference, leaving the Gunners needing a City slip-up on the final day of the campaign.
* An Arsenal loss tonight would be catastrophic, handing City the initiative. In this case, a City win tomorrow would give them a one-point lead heading into the finale, meaning the title would no longer be in Arsenal’s hands for the trip to Selhurst Park.
* Winning the league early would provide a massive boost for the Champions League final against PSG on May 30. Success tonight could allow Arteta to rest key stars like Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice during the final league match.
* Although Burnley are already relegated, Arsenal must avoid complacency. The interim management team will want to play spoiler, and a resilient Burnley performance could derail the Gunners' momentum at the worst possible time in the season.
* Arsenal currently hold 79 points to City’s 77. Because City have a game in hand after tonight, the "true" gap is narrower. However, Arsenal's points on the board remain their greatest asset as they seek to end a 22-year drought for a league title.