Above: Some ecstatic fans were left in tears as Arsenal crowned Premier League champions
Fans were left in tears after Arsenal were crowned Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years after Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth.
The Gunners’ long wait to add to their 13 top-flight titles was ended when Pep Guardiola’s side dropped points in their penultimate match, the game in hand they had over their rivals.
It left Arsenal with an unassailable lead at the top and kicked off the celebrations in north London.
Mikel Arteta’s side will formally be presented with the trophy on Sunday after their final match of the season at Crystal Palace.
They could still make it an historic double for the club as they chase their first Champions League title in the 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.
Midfielder Declan Rice posted a picture on Instagram with his team-mates with the caption “I told you all.. it’s done.”
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:
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, who had Arteta as his assistant for two of City’s Premier League titles, paid tribute to his Gunners counterpart.
“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.”
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!”
Arsenal-supporting Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer wrote on X: “22 long years for the Arsenal. But finally, we’re back where we belong. Champions!”
Presenter Piers Morgan also referenced “22 years of hurt and pain” in a series of posts on X, writing: “5 times the bridesmaid. Tonight, finally, THE BRIDE.”
How did they do it? Here are six key factors which have propelled Arsenal back to the top.
RECRUITMENT
Arsenal bankrolled their support for Mikel Arteta by spending more than £250million in signing eight new players last summer. Spearheaded by new sporting director Andrea Berta, Viktor Gyokeres became the club’s marque signing, and although he has faced criticism along the way, his return of 21 goals has answered the need for a prolific scorer. Eberechi Eze’s provided moments of magic, while Martin Zubimendi has, until very recently, been a permanent fixture in midfield. Christian Mosquera, a snip at £13million, and loan signing Piero Hincapie have enforced Arsenal’s already impressive backline. Declan Rice’s arrival from West Ham for a club-record fee of £100m in 2023 has proved invaluable.
MENTALITY
After finishing runners-up for the past three seasons, and without a trophy since 2020, Arsenal’s mental strength has faced a stern examination. After they lost the Carabao Cup final to City, and were then eliminated from the FA Cup by Southampton, before surrendering their lead of the Premier League, Arteta’s men were accused of “bottling” their trophy aspirations. A City fan goaded their rivals by ‘drinking’ out of an Arsenal-branded bottle, while the taunts on social media were even louder. But Arsenal’s players were able to block out the external noise and have the last laugh.
DEFENCE
Arsenal boast the meanest backline in the league, conceding 26 goals – seven fewer than City – while keeping 19 clean sheets. David Raya’s arrival from Brentford to replace Aaron Ramsdale went down like a damp squib at the time. But Raya has taken Arsenal to another level by producing a number of match-winning saves to cement his status as one of the world’s very best stoppers. Gabriel and William Saliba are developing as one of the finest centre-back pairings the league has seen. The arrival of defence coach Gabriel Heinze last summer has clearly had the desired impact. Arsenal’s ill-discipline also cost them last season. But they have not received a single red card so far.
SET-PIECES
Under the stewardship of Nicolas Jover, Arsenal have become the set-piece masters. Kai Havertz’s winning goal against Burnley was their record-extending 18th from a corner in a league this season – accounting for 26 per cent of their 69 strikes – with a further five goals coming from free-kicks. Arsenal have scored only 41 times from open play, which will be the lowest by a Premier League winner, unless they can put five past Crystal Palace to match Leicester’s 2016 tally of 46, on the final day.
STADIUM
After taking the job, Arteta made transforming the Emirates Stadium and re-connecting a disillusioned fanbase one of his top priorities. Arteta was integral in introducing Islington-born Louis Dunford’s song, “The Angel”, better known as “North London Forever,” as the club’s pre-game anthem. Originally sneered at, it has unified the supporters and become part of the club’s DNA. Rice described the atmosphere in Arsenal’s recent semi-final win against Atletico Madrid as the greatest ever in the Emirates’ 20-year history.
TRUST THE PROCESS
Arteta’s lack of silverware and obscure methods – whether by using a lightbulb to motivate his side, blaring “You’ll Never Walk Alone” out in training ahead of a trip to Anfield, or tasking his players to hold pens in a bizarre drill – has leant itself to criticism. So too, his side’s over-reliance on set-pieces, and his touchline antics. But the proof is in the pudding, and 2,342 days after landing the job, Arteta has finally overseen Arsenal’s first title in 22 years. And with a Champions League final against Paris St Germain on May 30, Arteta could make history by becoming the first Arsenal manager to deliver on Europe’s grandest stage. The Spaniard’s contract is due to expire in 2027 but an extension this summer is a formality.
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