Arsenal win their first Premier League title in over two decades

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates after Kai Havertz scores against Burnley
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates after Kai Havertz scores against BurnleyREUTERS/Hannah Mckay

Arsenal have won the Premier League after Manchester City's failure to beat Bournemouth mathematically ended the title race, delivering the club's first league top-flight crown since 2004 with a game to spare.

Confirmation arrived tonight after Manchester City dropped points against Bournemouth, leaving Pep Guardiola's side unable to catch Arsenal at the top of the table.

The result ends a 22-year wait for a league title and delivers Arsenal's 14th top-flight championship, moving them further clear as England's third-most successful league club behind Liverpool and Manchester United.

After recording consecutive second-place finishes in the Premier League, finishing runners-up in both 2022/23 and 2023/24 while steadily increasing points totals, squad depth and consistency, the Gunners converted contention into control this season.

Their title challenge was built on efficiency at both ends of the pitch rather than one overwhelming phase of form.

A focus on elite defensive output with sustained attacking production and devastating set-pieces saw them incredibly tough to beat throughout the season, and Arteta's side avoided the late-season collapse that defined previous campaigns.

The contrast with their first modern title challenge under Arteta was significant.

In 2022/23, Arsenal led the league for 248 days before Manchester City's experience and relentless closing pace overturned the deficit. Last season, Arsenal improved again but finished two points short.

This time, there was no collapse to punish.

Instead, Arsenal maintained pace through the winter period, navigated fixture congestion and turned difficult away matches into points rather than narratives.

Recruitment also played a central role. The club moved aggressively to build a squad capable of competing across all competitions, with signings such as Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyokeres all contributing at key points of the season. 

For Arteta personally, the title is the cherry on top of what has been a long, drawn-out plan for the North London club.

When he arrived in December 2019, Arsenal were 10th in the Premier League and drifting strategically. His first trophy came quickly with the FA Cup in 2020, but the years that followed demanded patience from ownership and supporters alike.

There were questions over recruitment, periods of inconsistency and repeated suggestions Arsenal had reached their ceiling.

Instead, Arteta has delivered Arsenal's first Premier League title since Arsene Wenger's Invincibles in 2003/04, as well as reaching a first Champions League final in 20 years to boot.

He becomes only the sixth manager to win an English top division title with Arsenal.

The top of the Premier League
The top of the Premier LeagueFlashscore
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