Premier League: Arsenal crowned English champions 22 years later

Taking advantage of Manchester City’s draw on Bournemouth’s field, Mikel Arteta’s Gunners are officially champions of England. A historic title for a team finally back at the top.

Huge celebration at home. And undoubtedly, a night of revelry to come in the streets of London. Following their narrow victory against Burnley (1-0) at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal were crowned champions of England on Tuesday, thanks to Manchester City’s draw on Bournemouth’s field (1-1). With a four-point lead over their Manchester rival with one matchday left in the Premier League, the Gunners cannot be dethroned. 22 years after their last triumph – that of Arsène Wenger’s “Invincibles” with Thierry Henry – they are back at the top of the Kingdom.

Whether on their couch or in the bars, staff, players, and supporters of the Gunners celebrated intensely the sublime goal of Frenchman Eli Junior Kroupi, the executioner of Pep Guardiola’s Citizens. History will remember that it was him, the young Frenchman enchanting England this season (13 league goals), who clinched Arsenal’s title. The 14th in their history, the third in the 21st century after 2002 and 2004. Mikel Arteta’s team’s season is already historic. It could be even more so if they win the Champions League final on May 30th in Budapest against Paris Saint-Germain.

Mocked in recent years for being the “eternal second” behind City (in 2023 and 2024) and then Liverpool (in 2025), criticized by the public for a minimalist yet effective playing style, the Gunners have achieved their goal. Relying on a strong defense (the best in the Premier League, conceding 26 goals in 37 matches) and deadly creativity on corners (18 goals scored in this area, a record). Arteta’s criticized recipe, former assistant to Guardiola, finally paid off after six years and six months of work, reinforced last summer by significant recruitment (Gyökeres, Eze, Madueke, Hincapie…). And winners are always right in football, right?

Manchester City cracks in the final sprint

Yet, everything had almost changed on April 19th when William Saliba and his teammates, previously inconsistent but caught up on their unflattering “losers” label, were defeated by Manchester City (2-1) in a top clash at the Etihad Stadium. The tables were turned. Full suspense. However, since then, Arsenal has won their four league matches, three of them by a 1-0 scoreline.

At the same time, Rayan Cherki’s Citizens – too fragile in crucial moments this season – stumbled against Everton (3-3). Consequently, their last hopes crumbled this Tuesday, shaken by a surprising Bournemouth side (6th), unbeaten in 17 matches and now qualified for the first time in their history for European competition (at least the Europa League). The late goal of hope, scored by Erling Haaland in the 95th minute, was not enough to turn everything around. In a few days, Pep Guardiola will resign with 20 titles to his name, including six Premier League titles. Not one more.

Cherries and Gunners are ecstatic on May 19th. A day that will long stay in Arsenal’s legend, officially champion outside the pitch. Let the celebration begin, around the Emirates Stadium or even in certain corners in France, where the Gunners community is so significant since the golden era of the “Frenchies.”