Premier League: the end of the drought for Arsenal, English champion 22 years after the Invincibles

The wait is finally over. Twenty-two years after the Invincibles of 2004, Arsenal are once again champions of England thanks to Manchester City’s draw at Bournemouth (1-1) on Tuesday night. Mikel Arteta’s players are four points ahead of Pep Guardiola’s team heading into the final Premier League match on Sunday.

Some Arsenal fans had never experienced success in the Premier League. After three seasons finishing second, including one just two points behind Manchester City, it has finally happened. In a more competitive final sprint than expected, Arsenal kept up the pace and took advantage of City’s slip-ups, against Everton at the beginning of the month and on Tuesday against Bournemouth.

The title that rewards Arteta’s tenure

Before that, Arsenal felt Manchester City breathing down their neck. For a few days, Erling Haaland’s teammates even took the lead in the Premier League on goal difference, after Arsenal’s defeats to Bournemouth and Manchester City in April. After the clash between the two rivals at the Etihad Stadium, the Norwegian forward even smiled, singing “Woah… sometimes, I get a good feeling.” But it wasn’t enough.

Arsenal clinched their 14th English league title, forever associated with Mikel Arteta. Joining the London club’s bench in December 2019, the Spanish coach patiently built his team, lifting them from eighth place in the Premier League to the top. Sometimes criticized, the former Arsenal captain and assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City succeeded in his gamble.

Following the Bournemouth vs. Manchester City match, thousands of Arsenal fans headed to the Emirates Stadium to celebrate, even though the players were not present. The night looks to be a long one, and there may be another celebration in about ten days, in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.

Original article published on RMC Sport.