Arsenal secure Premier League title after 22-year wait as City stumble
A shift to a pragmatic, set-piece-heavy strategy and a league-best defensive record underpin Arsenal’s championship success, ending three consecutive seasons as runners-up.
Arsenal have claimed the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years, securing the championship with one match remaining after Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw by Bournemouth. Manager Mikel Arteta’s squad finished ahead of second-placed City, overcoming a period of three consecutive seasons as runners-up to end a prolonged wait for the top honour.
The Gunners’ triumph was built on a pragmatic, back-to-basics approach that has moved away from the possession-based styles associated with previous eras. Specialist coach Nicolas Jover devised inventive set-piece schemes that yielded significant returns, with more than 40 per cent of Arsenal’s Premier League goals originating from dead-ball situations. The team set a new single-season Premier League record with 18 goals scored from corners out of 28 total set-piece goals.
Defensive solidity proved equally critical to the campaign. Arsenal conceded just 26 goals in 37 games, recording the league’s best defensive record. 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.
Midfielder Declan Rice emerged as a central figure, providing leadership, energy, and precise set-piece delivery. The squad’s depth was bolstered by significant contributions from new signings, including striker Victor Gyokeres, who scored 21 goals in all competitions in his first season. Other recruits such as Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Piero Hincapie, and Cristhian Mosquera also played key roles in sustaining the team’s performance levels.
Arteta employed unorthodox motivational methods to enhance mental resilience, including hiring a professional pickpocket during preseason to heighten player alertness and using symbolic locker room items to emphasise focus. The team accumulated 82 points to win the title, a lower threshold than the 90-plus points often required in recent years due to inconsistent performances from rivals Manchester City and Liverpool.
