Arsenal claim Premier League title after 22-year drought as City stumble
The club’s triumph was confirmed on Tuesday night following Manchester City’s draw with Bournemouth, ending a cycle of near misses and prompting widespread celebrations across north London.
Arsenal have secured the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years, concluding a prolonged period of near misses that included three consecutive seasons finishing as runners-up. The championship was confirmed on Tuesday night after rivals Manchester City drew 1-1 with Bournemouth, a result that meant Arsenal could no longer be caught with one match remaining.
The victory was underpinned by defensive solidity, with the club conceding just 26 goals in 37 games. Goalkeeper David Raya kept 19 clean sheets, winning the Golden Glove award for the third consecutive year. Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira identified Raya as the player of the season, citing his consistent outstanding performance from the opening game to the final whistle.
Players and staff celebrated at the Emirates Stadium and the club’s training ground in the early hours of Wednesday. Captain Martin Odegaard and striker Bukayo Saka led the celebrations, with Saka addressing critics who had labelled the team "bottlers" following their previous second-place finishes. Former captain Declan Rice posted "It's done" on social media, marking a shift from his previous insistence that the task was not yet complete.
The title win came in Mikel Arteta’s seventh year in charge, underlining the value of managerial continuity. Former Premier League goalkeeper Paul Robinson told BBC Radio 5 Live that the best gift for a good manager is time, noting that Arteta had moulded the squad into a winning side.
The club will hold a trophy parade in Islington on Sunday, 31 May, at 14:00 BST. This follows their upcoming Champions League final against Paris St-Germain in Budapest on 30 May.
