By Favour Raphael
Arsenal were crowned Premier League champions on Tuesday after Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw by Bournemouth, ending the Gunners’ 22-year wait for the English top-flight title.
Mikel Arteta’s side sealed the crown after City failed to secure the victory needed to keep the title race alive until the final day of the season.
Arsenal had moved five points clear at the top of the table with a 1-0 victory over already relegated Burnley on Monday, putting themselves within touching distance of a first league title since 2004.
The North London club, runners-up in the previous three seasons, completed a remarkable turnaround after last month’s defeat to Manchester City, responding with four consecutive league victories without conceding a goal.
Manchester City’s title hopes ended at the Vitality Stadium as Bournemouth extended their unbeaten league run to 17 matches and secured European football qualification for the first time in the club’s history.
Bournemouth took the lead in the 39th minute through Eli Junior Kroupi, who curled home a strike into the top corner.
City struggled to respond despite creating chances, with Nico O’Reilly denied early in the second half by Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.
Pep Guardiola’s side eventually found an equaliser through Erling Haaland deep into stoppage time, but it was not enough to revive their fading title ambitions.
City had earlier reignited the race with victory over Arsenal last month but dropped crucial points in a 3-3 draw against Everton, handing the initiative back to the Gunners.
The result also strengthened Bournemouth’s hopes of European qualification, with the club guaranteed to finish no lower than seventh.
Arsenal’s triumph also ends a six-year wait for major silverware, delivering Arteta his biggest success since taking charge of the club.
