After 22 years wait Arsenal clinch Premier League title following Man City slip at Bournemouth

By Tolu Temidire

Arsenal were crowned Premier League champions on Tuesday after Manchester City were held to a dramatic 1-1 draw by Bournemouth, ending the Gunners’ 22-year wait for the league title.

Manchester City needed a victory at the Vitality Stadium to keep the title race alive until the final day, but Bournemouth’s impressive form continued as they stretched their unbeaten league run to 17 matches and secured European football for the first time in the club’s history.

The result handed Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal their first Premier League crown since 2004 and ended a six-year wait for major silverware. The North London club had moved within touching distance of the title on Monday with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over already relegated Burnley, opening a five-point lead over City.

After finishing runners-up in each of the previous three seasons, Arsenal finally completed their title mission following a strong response to last month’s defeat against City, winning four consecutive league matches without conceding.

City entered the encounter amid uncertainty surrounding manager Pep Guardiola, following widespread reports that the Spaniard could leave the club at the end of the season after a decade in charge.

Guardiola had just guided City to an FA Cup triumph over Chelsea at Wembley, securing the 20th trophy of his reign, but his side failed to rise to the occasion against a determined Bournemouth team still chasing a possible Champions League place.

The home side struck first in the 39th minute when teenage sensation Eli Junior Kroupi curled a superb effort into the top corner, setting a new Premier League record for goals scored by a teenager in a debut season with his 13th strike.

City struggled to respond despite several opportunities, with Nico O’Reilly denied early in the second half by Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.

Bournemouth could have extended their lead as Rayan and David Brooks both struck the post in Andoni Iraola’s final home game in charge.

Erling Haaland eventually rescued a point for City with a stoppage-time equaliser, but it proved insufficient to keep their fading title hopes alive.

The draw confirmed Arsenal as champions while also boosting Liverpool’s hopes of securing a top-five finish and UEFA Champions League qualification heading into the final day of the season.