Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is preparing his side to face relegated Burnley in a vital clash, and they could take one more mighty stride to the Premier League title.
Arsenal in pole position to make history with Mikel Arteta
Monday night at the Emirates is about as big as it gets.
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Arsenal host already-relegated Burnley knowing that three points would move them to 82 and pile enormous pressure on Man City, who trail by two points and still have to face Bournemouth on Tuesday and Aston Villa on the final day.
Win tonight, and the Gunners will be one slip from Pep Guardiola's side away from lifting a first Premier League title in 22 years — their first since the Invincibles season of 2003/04.
Arteta's side ground out a 1-0 victory at West Ham last weekend through Leandro Trossard's first-half strike, but the injury list is a slight concern.
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The Spaniard could be without him.
Ben White is out for the season with an MCL injury, Jurrien Timber remains sidelined with a groin problem, Mikel Merino is still working his way back from foot surgery, and Riccardo Calafiori is a doubt after being substituted at half-time against the Hammers.
Arsenal's squad depth is being stretched at the worst possible time — but with a Champions League final against PSG in Budapest also on the horizon, the adrenaline coursing through this group should not be underestimated.
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Away from the title race, there is quieter business to attend to, and one loan player's future is generating increasing attention.
Hamburg chief confirms planned Arsenal talks over Fabio Vieira
Fabio Vieira has just completed one of the more impressive individual campaigns of any Arsenal loanee in recent memory.
Fabio-Vieira-Hamburg
The Portuguese playmaker finished the Bundesliga season at Hamburg with seven goals and five assists in 29 appearances, ending as the club's joint-top scorer and signing off with a stunning curling effort against Bayer Leverkusen on the final day.
For a side that spent their first season back in the top flight after seven years in the second tier, Vieira's creativity and big-game contributions were instrumental in securing survival with room to spare.
Hamburg's sporting director, Claus Costa, has now spoken publicly about the club's desire to extend Vieira's stay, praising both his performances and his character in comments that leave little doubt about how highly he is valued at the Volksparkstadion.
"We would like to expressly thank all six players for their performances and their commitment to the club," said Costa.
"Fabio [Vieira] and Luka certainly stand out as key players of the past season, but all the loaned players also contributed to us achieving our season goal ahead of schedule in our first year back in the Bundesliga.
"They showed great commitment to the team and the club, both on and off the pitch.
"Regarding a possible future with HSV, we will be holding talks with the various parties in the coming days."
Hamburg hold an option to buy as part of the original loan agreement, but reports have made clear the club cannot afford that figure.
So, they will likely push Arsenal to renegotiate the clause.
Vieira's contract at the Emirates expires next year, which doesn't give Arsenal much wiggle room to demand a substantial fee, so it makes sense from Hamburg's perspective.
From Vieira's perspective, the situation is straightforward.
Fabio-Vieira-Porto
He has spoken openly about his happiness in Germany and described the move as a crucial step in rediscovering his best form after two frustrating years on Arsenal's fringes.
Hamburg feels like home, and the prospect of building on what has been a breakthrough season is clearly appealing.
Whether Vieira's renewed value is cashed in or brought back to north London will be one of the quieter but more interesting decisions of their summer.
Arsenal have already seen Jakub Kiwior join FC Porto on a permanent deal, and Vieira could follow suit if Hamburg can whittle his price down.
First, though, there is tonight.
Burnley at home. Three points. And one step closer to history.
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