Pep Guardiola is expected to leave Manchester City at the end of the season, and Arsenal are ready to step up and create their own dynasty after winning the Premier League title
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 19: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, and Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, interact prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on April 19, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta has beaten his mentor, Pep Guardiola(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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They have written their name into the history books. Mikel Arteta has penned his own new chapter after leading the club to their first title in 22 years.
And now this Arsenal squad will be forever remembered as legends, the heroes who finally guided the club to glory. They still have the chance to turn their title into a Double by winning the Champions League on May 30. What an achievement that would be.
Sometimes it has not been pretty. It has been incredibly nervous. But, ultimately, they have overhauled arguably the greatest team and manager of the Premier League era.
That is Arteta’s greatest achievement: to go toe-to-toe with Pep Guardiola, the juggernaut that is Manchester City and come out on top.
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It has been a rollercoaster ride of a season full of ups and downs. But also a year which no Arsenal fan will ever forget. This was billed as Arsenal’s best chance in years. After three second-placed finishes in a row there was no excuse this time.
And that only added to the pressure and expectation levels which, at times, have felt like a heavy burden weighing the players down. It was the longest Arsenal have gone post-war without winning the title. Twenty two years. It is no wonder the stadium has felt nervous at times.
This is a huge club, one of the giants of English football and that length of time has been painful. No one could ever have imagined that, after Arsene Wenger’s Invincibles lifted the title in 2004, they would have to wait so long to do it again.
And that only adds to the sense of achievement of this Arsenal team. Arteta has built a team steeped in mentality, strength and determination. No one saw Arsenal coming when they launched their first title attempt under Arteta in 2022/23. It was not unexpected a year later but they fell just short in a head-to-head with Manchester City.
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 18: Kai Havertz of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Burnley at Emirates Stadium on May 18, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal have been crowned Premier League champions(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Last year, Arsenal never really looked like winning the title. Liverpool were the best team. But Arsenal finished second again. 'Ole ole' as the song goes.
This year has been about proving they are not bottlers. That is Arteta’s greatest achievement. The Arsenal manager has instilled a winning mentality. They have become kings of the set pieces, scoring goals and grappling at corners has become one of their most reliable assets
They will probably not go down as the most popular champions - but Arsenal fans will not care. Why would they? It is all about getting it done.
Arteta has become more of a pragmatist. What sort of manager would he be if, after finishing second three times in a row, he did not try to do something different?
That is what makes Arteta’s achievement even greater. Arteta has gone toe-to-toe with his mentor, Guardiola, and finally come out on top.
For all City’s wealth, experience and power, Arsenal have won through to be crowned champions again. Let’s be clear: Arsenal have spent big themselves, they are hardly plucky underdogs, but they have beaten arguably the best team of the Premier League era. We may be witnessing a changing of the guard.
Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola applauds the fans following the English Premier League football match between Bournemouth and Manchester City at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, southern England on May 19, 2026. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications.
Pep Guardiola is set to leave Manchester City (Image: Glyn KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
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City have won 20 trophies in Guardiola’s 10 years in charge but they cannot stay on top forever. City’s rivalry had been with Liverpool. Now Arsenal have stepped forward ready to be the dominant force in English football.
Arsenal have removed a huge weight from their shoulders. Now they can relax, enjoy the glory and that is why this may be the start of a new era of success. We may be witnessing the passing of a baton. This is the end for Guardiola and Arteta’s Arsenal must be ready and waiting to step up.
Arsenal have built a formidable squad. Two players for each position. The best squad they have had for years. Pundits were queuing up to say it was the best squad but you only prove that by winning.
And now Arsenal have done that in the most wonderful, glorious fashion. These heroes will go down as club legends - but now they have a chance to go down in history as the best ever.
If they can finish the other job in Budapest by beating Paris Saint-Germain, they will become the untouchables.