When Dennis Bergkamp's shot started out it was heading for the McDonald's sign to the right of Dave Watson's goal. By the end of its flight the net was billowing. Effectively Arsenal had won the championship because this time only the ball had gone on a bender.

Arsene Wenger's clean-up campaign, championing pasta instead of Pinot has produced an intoxication of its own. The title is now almost certainly Arsenal's.

Victories at home to Derby on Wednesday and Everton on Sunday will be the cue to pop corks in the dressing-room, except for those pledged only to twist screw tops.

But, while Arsenal's recent resurgence has been applauded unconditionally everywhere except Manchester United and Tottenham, Saturday's victory was tinged with regret.

At the end of the game Barnsley fans stood to honour Arsenal with a rousing ovation topped by a chorus of "champions, champions". It takes a lot for a northerner to admit second best to a bunch of flash Harrys from London but the gesture was typical of a club whose friendliness and honesty has won a huge place in the sympathies of most neutrals.

The reality, however, is that Barnsley have probably not won another season in the Premiership as Arsenal's victory all but condemned them to the drop.

Relegation would spark many uncertainties, not least whether Danny Wilson and the team's best players will be persuaded to attempt a second coming next season.

But relegation will also deprive the locals of a key brick in the rebuilding of their self-respect. A successful football team was a way of helping redefine the town's image as well as boosting morale in an area hit by 15 years of government-led industrial decline.

"They have my sympathy," said Wenger. "I started out at a small club and that experience always helped me keep my humility when I moved to bigger ones."

Arsenal and Barnsley share things in common, even if they sit at opposite ends of football's economic scale. Both have been written off this season more times than was sensible. And both, in their own way, needed time to learn about the Premiership before coping with the Premiership exam.

For Barnsley that meant turning round a disastrous first three months, which they did creditably enough, though probably too late to repair the damage done.

For Arsenal it was really only when Marc Overmars caught on to the pace of the English game and later when Nicolas Anelka's self-confidence triumphed over his teenage nerves that the team began to shake off its past and become "scoring, scoring Arsenal".

Here they should have finished with more than two goals. Overmars wasted a couple of great chances, Patrick Vieira and David Platt went close and Anelka hit the bar.

For all Barnsley's early hard work, Bergkamp trumped it in a split-second flash of genius as he shimmied right and stroked in the opening goal from the edge of the area on 29 minutes. After that the home side were either chasing the game or banging their heads against the brick wall known as Arsenal's back-line. Arsenal's second goal was set up by Platt for Overmars to sprint at goal and beat Watson. With Ian Wright threatening an end-of-season return, the Gunners are well set for a bubbly finale.

As for Barnsley, they have not given up on their cherished Premiership place just yet. But they will already be thinking of how to drown their sorrows.

Barnsley: Watson, Eaden, Moses, De Zeeuw, Redfearn, Marcelle (Ward 51), Bullock, Jones, Tinkler (Bosancic 65), Barnard, Fjortoft (Hendrie 75). Subs Not Used: Liddell, Leese. Booked: Ward.

Arsenal: Seaman, Dixon, Winterburn, Vieira, Adams, Platt, Anelka (Wreh 75), Bergkamp, Overmars, Keown, Petit. Subs Not Used: Bould, Grimandi, Hughes, Lukic. Booked: Petit, Winterburn. Goals: Bergkamp 23, Overmars 76. Att: 18,691

Referee: M A Riley (Leeds).

Manchester United go to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace tonight determined to prove that the championship is not yet won and that they can still steal in and grab the trophy.

Currently four points behind a seemingly unstoppable Arsenal side, and having played one more game, United must beat Palace and hope that Arsenal trip up on Wednesday night at home to Derby. If the reverse is the case, Arsenal could be crowned champions after their midweek encounter.

Alex Ferguson's task isn't made any easier by the absence of Ronny Johnsen for this, and United's remaining fixtures. The defender is due to undergo cartilage surgery in Norway today but should be fit again for Norway's World Cup campaign. However, there is a strong possibility that goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel will be included tonight as he struggles to be shake off a nagging hamstring injury sustained in United's recent defeat by Arsenal.