Arsenal win first Premier League title in 22 years after Man City draw

Arsenal were crowned Premier League champions for the first time since 2004 on Tuesday after Manchester City drew 1-1 with Bournemouth.

“I told you all.. it’s done,” midfielder Declan Rice posted on social media with a photo of himself and his teammates celebrating.

The result put an end to what might be Pep Guardiola's final title challenge with City after the decorated manager didn't dismiss reports he was set to leave the club at the end of the season.

City needed to win at Bournemouth to take it down to the final game of the campaign on Sunday. But the draw left Arsenal with an unassailable four-point lead at the top, ending its 22-year wait for the title.

Arsenal fans celebrated wildly outside the Emirates Stadium in North London, setting off flares and partying in the street. There were celebrations at the club's training ground, too, where the players had gathered to watch the match.

City threatened another twist in an engrossing title race when Erling Haaland scored in stoppage time to equalize after Junior Kroupi's first-half strike, but it was too late to find a winner.

Mikel Arteta's players can now stand alongside club icons such as Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Ian Wright, who previously reached the summit of English football. And Arsenal's current class could yet break new ground by winning the Champions League for the first time in its history later this month.

Thoughts of the May 30 final against defending champion Paris Saint-Germain can be put on the back burner for now.

Now is a time for celebration and relief for Arteta after finishing as runner-up in the league three years in a row.

In back-to-back seasons in 2023 and 2024, he watched as Guardiola's City chased down Arsenal's lead to be crowned champion. And another chance was missed last year by finishing second to Liverpool.

Once again, the Gunners led the way for most of this campaign, and despite seeing its points advantage ebb away during a gripping run-in, they have finally managed to get over the line.

Arsenal's last champion was the so-called Invincibles team of 2004, which went an entire campaign without losing in the league.

Since then, it has seen Chelsea, Manchester United, City, Leicester and Liverpool all claim the title. This is the first time since 2017 that a club other than City or Liverpool has not been crowned champion. It is Arsenal’s 14th title, and Arteta will hope it is the beginning of a new era of dominance.

He has finally got the better of Guardiola, whom he served as assistant to at City before taking the hot seat in Islington.

The Spaniard took over in December 2019, his first role as a manager. After winning the FA Cup in that first season, it has been a frustrating wait for more honors. Even still, he is the second-youngest coach after Jose Mourinho to win the Premier League at the age of 44.

While his team has not maintained the attractive playing style of former manager Arsène Wenger, it has powered its way to the title with the best defense in the league and earned a reputation as a specialist for set piece goals.

Time will tell if Arteta adopts a more expansive style in the future, more in keeping with Guardiola's City.

How City will look going forward is a bigger question, with former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca widely considered the front-runner to replace Guardiola.

The future of City's greatest manager overshadowed the buildup to the game after 10 years at the club.

“I should talk with my chairman first,” Guardiola said. “After that, when I talk with my chairman... we will decide. We will talk in the next days."

He was aiming to win the title for the seventh time in England and a second domestic treble after winning the League Cup and FA Cup this term. But Kroupi’s curling shot in the 39th minute left City with a mountain to climb.

Bournemouth wasted further chances to extend its lead, and Haaland ensured a tense finish for Arsenal fans when he leveled in the fifth minute of added time.

Ultimately, it wasn't enough and Guardiola has gone two years without winning a league title for the first time in his coaching career.

Relegation battle

The fight for survival will go down to the final day of the season after Chelsea beat Tottenham 2-1.

Spurs are two points ahead of West Ham, who top the relegation zone.

The Hammers need to beat Leeds on Sunday to have any chance of leapfrogging Tottenham and climbing out of the drop zone.

Tottenham hosts Everton, and a draw would likely be enough because of superior goal difference. A win would guarantee safety.

AP