Arsenal end 22-year Premier League title drought after Manchester City draw

Arsenal have been confirmed as Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years following Manchester City’s draw against Bournemouth, ending a long wait for the north London club and sealing a dramatic title race.

City, champions in six of the previous eight seasons, needed victory to cut Arsenal’s lead to two points and push the title contest to the final day of the campaign. However, events at the Etihad ensured the trophy would return to the Emirates Stadium before Arsenal even kicked a ball this weekend.

A 39th-minute strike from Bournemouth’s Junior Kroupi put City behind in a tense encounter. Despite relentless pressure, Pep Guardiola’s side struggled to find a breakthrough. Erling Haaland eventually equalised in stoppage time, but the late goal proved insufficient to secure the win City desperately needed.

The final whistle confirmed Arsenal as champions, sparking wild celebrations outside the Emirates Stadium. Fans gathered in large numbers, waving scarves and chanting as news filtered through that the title race was mathematically settled.

Arsenal will round off their campaign with a visit to Crystal Palace on Sunday, a match that now serves as a coronation rather than a decider.

Midfielder Declan Rice captured the mood in the dressing room, posting a celebratory photo on Instagram with the caption: “I told you all … it’s done.”

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The triumph marks Arsenal’s 14th English league title, placing them behind only Liverpool and Manchester United, who have 20 each. It is their first league crown since the legendary 2003–04 “Invincibles” season under Arsène Wenger, when the Gunners went unbeaten.

For manager Mikel Arteta, the achievement represents the culmination of years of rebuilding. Having taken charge in 2019, the former Arsenal and Everton midfielder became the first former Premier League player to win the title as a manager.

Arteta endured heartbreak in recent seasons, finishing runner-up three consecutive times. In 2023 and 2024, Guardiola’s City famously hunted down Arsenal’s advantage to retain the title. Last season, Liverpool edged them into second place. This time, Arsenal held firm.

Arsenal’s success has been rooted in defensive solidity and ruthless efficiency from set pieces.

The Gunners have conceded a league-low 26 goals in 37 matches, keeping 19 clean sheets. At the other end, they have scored a league-high 24 goals from set pieces, including 18 from corner kicks — the most by any team in the Premier League era.

Their ability to grind out results during a tense run-in proved decisive, even as their once-comfortable points lead narrowed.

Since Arsenal’s last title in 2004, the trophy has been claimed by Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, Leicester City and Liverpool. This season marks the first time since 2017 that neither City nor Liverpool has been crowned champions.

The buildup to City’s crucial clash was also clouded by reports suggesting Guardiola may step down at the end of the season after a decade in charge.

He had been targeting a seventh league title in England and a second domestic treble, having already lifted the League Cup and FA Cup this term.

But Kroupi’s curling effort before halftime left City with a mountain to climb, and despite Haaland’s late equaliser, the opportunity slipped away.

Arsenal’s remarkable season may yet reach greater heights. Arteta’s side has also reached the Champions League final, where they will face Paris Saint-Germain on May 30 in pursuit of their first European crown.