Arsenal and the final day: 5 of the best matches in club history

2. Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal (1970/71)

Although Sp*rs were the first English team in the 20th century to win the Double, Arsenal followed suit in 1971 and even completed the feat in their rivals’ own backyard.

The 1970/71 campaign featured a tight championship battle between England’s top two sides (sound familiar?) and saw the Gunners travel to White Hart Lane on the final day needing a goalless draw or victory to claim their eighth domestic crown.

It was a tense affair as the hosts were desperate to spoil any north London party and Arsenal had to focus primarily on keeping a clean sheet. Then, just three minutes from time, the late Ray Kennedy rose highest at the back post to put us in front and fine goalkeeping from Bob Wilson ensured we held on for both local and national bragging rights.

Those two points meant we pipped Leeds United to the title, and a brilliant year was rounded off five days later under the Wembley arch.

3. Arsenal 3-2 Burnley (1952/53)

If you thought the 2012 or 2019 title races were decided by fine margins, wait until you hear about 1953.

Defeat at Preston on the final Saturday of the season had moved Arsenal down to second position, and the Lilywhites’ subsequent win against relegated Derby County meant Tom Whittaker’s men needed to beat sixth-placed Burnley on the last day to remain in title contention.

After a dramatic clash which saw them go behind in just three minutes, the Gunners eventually prevailed 3-2 at Highbury and the scoreline left the top two with identical league records. Therefore, goal average was employed as a tiebreaker (goals scored divided by goals conceded) and a margin of 0.099 earned Arsenal the trophy.

And we think VAR interventions add drama to Premier League proceedings!

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