Arsenal secured the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years after Manchester City were held to a dramatic 1-1 draw by Bournemouth on Tuesday night.
The result sparked emotional celebrations across north London, with jubilant Arsenal fans gathering outside the Emirates Stadium to celebrate the club’s long-awaited return to the top of English football.
Manchester City needed a victory at the Vitality Stadium to keep the title race alive heading into the final day of the season. However, Bournemouth extended their impressive unbeaten Premier League run to 17 matches and confirmed European qualification for the first time in the club’s history.
After finishing runners-up in each of the previous three campaigns, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have finally ended their wait for a league crown, winning the club’s 14th English top-flight title and their first since Arsene Wenger’s legendary “Invincibles” side lifted the trophy in 2004.
The Gunners moved to the brink of glory on Monday with a narrow 1-0 victory over already relegated Burnley, opening a five-point lead over City. Arsenal have responded brilliantly since their defeat to Pep Guardiola’s side last month, winning four consecutive league games without conceding a goal.
Following City’s draw, Guardiola was quick to congratulate Arsenal on their achievement.
“Congratulations to Arsenal, Mikel, the staff, all the players and fans for this Premier League,” Guardiola said. “You deserve it.”
The celebrations were in full swing around the Emirates, with red smoke from flares filling the streets as supporters sang “Campeones” and chanted Arteta’s name deep into the night.
British Prime Minister and lifelong Arsenal supporter Keir Starmer also joined the celebrations on social media.
“22 long years for Arsenal. But finally, we’re back where we belong. Champions!” Starmer posted on X.
Manchester City’s hopes of retaining the Premier League title faded on the south coast in a frustrating night for Guardiola’s side.
Just days after completing a domestic cup double by defeating Chelsea in the FA Cup final, City were rocked by reports suggesting Guardiola could leave the club at the end of the season after a decade in charge.
Saturday’s Wembley triumph delivered the 20th trophy of Guardiola’s remarkable reign, but the Spaniard now looks set to end the campaign without another league title.
“The first person I have to talk to is my chairman,” Guardiola said regarding his future. “When the season finishes, we’ll sit down and decide.”
Bournemouth took the lead in the 39th minute through teenage sensation Eli Junior Kroupi, who curled a superb strike into the top corner. The goal saw the youngster set a new Premier League record for most goals scored by a teenager in a debut season with 13.
Despite several missed chances from the hosts, Erling Haaland rescued a late equaliser deep into stoppage time. However, the goal came too late to revive City’s fading title challenge.
The draw also marked a historic evening for Bournemouth in what was Andoni Iraola’s final home game in charge, as the Cherries secured European football for the first time ever.
City’s title collapse ultimately began after surrendering momentum in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Everton, despite beating Arsenal in what had been viewed as the decisive clash last month.
Arsenal will officially lift the Premier League trophy following their final game of the season against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Arteta’s side could still cap off a historic campaign by winning the UEFA Champions League for the first time in club history when they face Paris Saint-Germain in the final later this month.
