Arsenal have been crowned Premier League champions as Manchester City are held to a draw at Bournemouth - here’s the reaction from team legends and celebrity fans.
More than two decades of waiting came to an end for Arsenal football fans on Tuesday night (May 19) as the north London club were crowned Premier League champions. Manchester City's 1-1 draw at AFC Bournemouth meant the Gunners will finish top of the league for the first time in 22 years.
Pep Guardiola's team struggled to overcome the south coast side - amid rumours of the manager's imminent departure from the Etihad - meaning Arsenal's long wait to add to their 13 top-flight titles came to an end, as they now enjoy an unassailable lead at the top.
Led by Mikel Arteta, the Gunners will formally be presented with the trophy on Sunday after their final match of the season at Crystal Palace. And they could still make it an historic double for the club as they chase their first Champions League title, with a final against Paris St Germain later this month.
The league title ended a six-year period without a trophy and is Arteta’s second major honour in charge after the 2020 FA Cup victory.
Following the Man City result, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice posted a picture on Instagram with his team-mates with the caption: “I told you all. It’s done.”
Arsenal fans celebrate at the Emirates Stadium after their team was crowned Premier League champions for the first time in 22 yearsplaceholder image
Arsenal fans celebrate at the Emirates Stadium after their team was crowned Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years | Jeff Moore/PA Wire
Former Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, who led the team to their last title in 2004, featured in a celebratory post from the Gunners on their X account. He said: “You did it. Champions go on when others stop. This is your time. Now, go on and enjoy every moment.”
Former England goalkeeper David Seaman, who made more than 400 appearances for Arsenal between 1990 and 2003, said on X: “Premier League champions! What a moment! What a season! Epic! Longest (22 years and) three minutes of my life.”
Guardiola, who had Arteta as his assistant for two of City’s Premier League titles, paid tribute to his Gunners counterpart at the end of the game. “We were close. On behalf of everyone at Manchester City, we congratulate Mikel and all the staff, players and fans on winning the Premier League,” he told Sky Sports. “They deserve it, for so much hard work and effort.”
Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith, a two-time title-winner, said he was thrilled to see his former club finally get over the line after several near misses in recent seasons. Smith said on Sky Sports: “Brilliant, brilliant, fully deserved. Obviously, they’ve had their moments in the last few seasons where they’ve come second, but you deserve to win it if you finish top.
“They’ve had the best defence. They haven’t had the best attack – you’d probably say City have got the best attack – but, as an overall unit, Mikel Arteta’s done brilliantly well. I’m really pleased for my old club.”
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Martin Keown, a member of Wenger’s three title-winning sides, posted on X: “Congratulations to this group for becoming champions! A beautiful moment. Come on the Arsenal! Enjoy, rest and let’s go and win our first champions league!”
The news will also have come as rare good news for die-hard Arsenal fan Sir Keir Starmer, who posted on social media: “22 long years for the Arsenal. But finally, we’re back where we belong. Champions!”
Fellow Gunner Piers Morgan also referenced “22 years of hurt and pain” in a series of posts, writing: “Five times the bridesmaid. Tonight, finally, THE BRIDE.”
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