Arsenal were crowned 2025/26 Premier League champions on Tuesday night after Manchester City were held to a dramatic 1-1 draw by Bournemouth, ending the north London club’s 22-year wait for the English top-flight crown.
By Advent Shoko
The result at the Vitality Stadium confirmed Mikel Arteta’s side as champions with one game still remaining, sparking emotional celebrations among Arsenal supporters across the world and sealing one of the club’s greatest modern achievements.
Manchester City entered the night knowing only victory would keep the title race alive heading into the final round of fixtures. But Bournemouth produced a disciplined and fearless performance to deny Pep Guardiola’s men and hand Arsenal the trophy.
French striker Eli Junior Kroupi fired Bournemouth ahead in the 38th minute, stunning the defending champions and putting Arsenal fans on the brink of celebration. Although Erling Haaland rescued a point for City with a stoppage-time equaliser in the 94th minute, the draw was not enough to prevent Arsenal from being officially crowned champions.
The result left Arsenal top of the table on 82 points from 37 matches, four points clear of second-placed City, who moved to 78 with only one match left to play.
It is Arsenal’s 14th English league title, placing them behind only Liverpool and Manchester United in the all-time rankings of top-flight champions.
More importantly for supporters, it ends a painful 22-year wait for Premier League glory since Arsène Wenger’s legendary “Invincibles” lifted the title during the unforgettable 2003/04 season without losing a single league match.
Arteta has now etched his name into Arsenal folklore by becoming the first manager since Wenger to guide the club to England’s biggest prize.
The title-clinching moment came less than 24 hours after Arsenal defeated Burnley 1-0 to pile pressure on City. Arsenal’s players and supporters then watched anxiously as Bournemouth stood firm against Guardiola’s side on Tuesday evening.
Despite Haaland’s late equaliser, City ultimately ran out of time as Bournemouth frustrated them throughout the contest and deservedly claimed a valuable point that also strengthened their hopes of European qualification next season.
As soon as the final whistle sounded, Arsenal’s official platforms erupted with celebration.
“The Arsenal. Your Premier League champions,” the club posted online alongside emotional scenes from players and fans.
Another message simply read: “A legacy written.”
The triumph caps an extraordinary campaign built on consistency, resilience and defensive solidity.
Arsenal have won 25 of their 37 league matches so far, drawing seven and losing only five. Their defensive record has been the foundation of their success, with goalkeeper David Raya keeping 19 clean sheets and positioning himself to win the Golden Glove award for a third consecutive season.
Only Manchester City have scored more league goals than Arsenal’s tally of 69 this season, underlining the balance Arteta has managed to create between defensive organisation and attacking efficiency.
The Gunners started the season strongly with a 1-0 victory away at Manchester United before winning nine of their opening 10 matches to rise to the top of the table in October.
They spent around 200 days at the summit before City briefly overtook them on goal difference late in the campaign. However, Arsenal responded like champions, winning four straight matches without conceding to reclaim first place and tighten their grip on the title race.
Much of Arsenal’s success has revolved around the leadership and consistency of key figures such as Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka.
Rice, who has become one of the defining players of Arsenal’s season, was recently voted Player of the Match by supporters after another influential midfield display.
“Thank you very much for the support tonight, really, really happy with the win. Keep pushing us, and keep believing. One to go!” Rice said before City’s draw mathematically confirmed Arsenal as champions.
For Guardiola and Manchester City, the draw at Bournemouth could mark the end of an era of dominance after years of setting the standard in English football.
Mikel Arteta also made Premier League history by becoming the first former Premier League player to win the competition as a manager. The Spaniard, who played for Arsenal between 2011 and 2016, took charge of the club in December 2019 during one of the most unstable periods in recent years and has since overseen a remarkable transformation.
The triumph delivers Arsenal’s fourth Premier League title since the competition was rebranded in 1992, moving the north London side clear of Liverpool’s two Premier League crowns and just one behind Chelsea’s five. Only Manchester United, with 13 Premier League titles, and Manchester City, with eight, have won more during the modern era. Blackburn Rovers and Leicester City remain the only other clubs to have lifted the trophy once each.
Across the full history of English top-flight football, Arsenal have now been crowned champions 14 times, behind only Liverpool and Manchester United, who have each won 20 league titles.
While Arsenal fans celebrate domestically, the club’s season could still become even more historic.
Arteta’s side will now turn their attention to the UEFA Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest on May 30, where Arsenal will attempt to win the European Cup for the first time in the club’s history.
After years of rebuilding, heartbreak and falling just short, Arsenal are finally back on top of English football, and this time, they made sure the crown stayed in north London.
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