Arsenal champions of England for first time in 21 years after Manchester City draw at Bournemouth
Arsenal are Premier League champions. The London club clinched the title on Tuesday evening without kicking a ball, after title rivals Manchester City could only manage a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth. On Sunday, Arsenal will receive the trophy at Crystal Palace, in what becomes the club's fourteenth league title in their history.
Twenty-year wait over for Arsenal
For the first time since 2004, Arsenal can call themselves champions of England. The Gunners, who edged past Burnley on Monday evening, did not need to take to the pitch on Tuesday to claim the coveted Premier League trophy. It was Manchester City who forced the decision — against themselves. A draw at Bournemouth was enough to put the title challengers beyond any realistic reach. With just one matchday remaining, the gap can no longer be closed.
Arsenal fans celebrate outside Vitality Stadium
Several dozen Arsenal supporters had gathered outside the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, and they got exactly what they had hoped for. City started strongly and even thought they had taken the lead, but Antoine Semenyo's goal against his former club was ruled out for offside. Not long after, Bournemouth struck themselves. Eli Junior Kroupi fired his side ahead with his thirteenth league goal of the season, leaving City knowing they would need at least two goals to keep the title race alive.
Haaland too late, Kluivert makes return
Those two goals never came. Manchester City were frustrated by a resilient Bournemouth side, where Dutch international Justin Kluivert made his comeback after four months out through injury. The winger came on with fifteen minutes remaining and made his presence felt most notably during a skirmish. It was not until deep into stoppage time that Erling Haaland showed any sign of a City revival: in the 95th minute he hammered in a rebound via the post. It was, however, too little too late. The final score of 1-1 brought the title race to a close.
Fourteenth title for Arsenal, Guardiola's tally stops at twenty
For Arsenal, it is the fourteenth time in the club's history that they have been crowned league champions. The previous occasion dates back to the legendary 2003-2004 season, when Arsène Wenger's side went the entire campaign unbeaten, with the likes of Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp in their ranks. This Sunday, Mikel Arteta's current squad travel to Crystal Palace, where the Premier League trophy will officially be presented. For Manchester City and manager Pep Guardiola, the season ends without a league title. According to several English media outlets, the Spaniard will leave the club this summer after ten years in charge, having accumulated a total of twenty trophies.
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Source: Via NOS (GNews)
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