Arsenal have ended a 22-year wait after being confirmed as Premier League champions. The Gunners last won the title in 2004, when Arsene Wenger was manager and Tony Blair was Prime Minister. Since then, the club has endured managerial changes, stadium moves, and near-misses. But Mikel Arteta has finally silenced his doubters and justified the faith shown by the Emirates hierarchy.
Manchester City's draw at Bournemouth meant Arsenal did not need a result on the final day. Players celebrated at their London Colney training ground after a season spent largely at the top of the table. They established themselves as favourites by autumn after Liverpool's fast start cooled, then overcame a wobble in March and April.
Arteta has often urged people to "trust the process," receiving a glowing endorsement from Pep Guardiola in 2021 after a 5-0 loss at City. Guardiola predicted Arteta would come good if given time. That proved a pivotal moment in Arsenal's modern history. Here are the moments that defined their champion year.
1. That VAR Call
It is not just season-defining; it is VAR and Premier League-defining. Gary Neville called it the biggest call of its kind. David Raya claimed a foul, Arsenal players appealed, and Arteta pulled on his arm to show the alleged offence. Callum Wilson's stoppage-time goal had originally been given, but VAR disallowed it after a lengthy check. The decision ensured Arsenal navigated their most challenging game of the run-in.
2. Denying City Early On
In September, Gabriel Martinelli's stoppage-time goal denied City a win at the Emirates. Erling Haaland had put Guardiola's side ahead inside 10 minutes, and City had just 33.2% possession—the joint lowest of Guardiola's career. Martinelli's deft chip rescued a point. Had City won, they would have beaten Arsenal three times this season and gone into the final day just one point behind.
3. Seeing Off Villa's Challenge
In December, Aston Villa looked ready to make it a three-way title fight after Unai Emery's side won at Villa Park with a stoppage-time strike. But Arsenal hammered them 4-1 at the Emirates, ending Villa's run of eight straight wins and beginning their spell of three wins in 11, which saw them tumble out of contention.
4. Dowman's Late Show
For any champion, late wins are key. Seeing off Everton in mid-March with two goals beyond the 88th minute was massive, especially as City dropped points that day. Max Dowman became the youngest scorer in Premier League history after several substitute cameos, providing a feel-good story and a glimpse of the future.
5. Man City's March Draws
Some argue City lost the title as much as Arsenal won it. Bernardo Silva suggested as much, claiming Arsenal only became champions because City are in transition. In March, City twice dropped points to relegation-threatened sides: West Ham and Nottingham Forest. They surrendered the lead to Forest at home and left London with just a draw.
6. Rice - "It's Not Done"
After losing at the Etihad, Declan Rice was on his knees at full-time. As Martin Odegaard walked over, Rice issued a message of defiance in three words. Had Arsenal let the title slip, it would have been used to mock him. Instead, his belief was justified, and he was among the best performers in the weeks after that defeat.
7. Edging Out Newcastle
After losing at the Etihad, Arsenal had four defeats in six games. Pressure was immense. Eberechi Eze scored a stunning opener for Newcastle, but Arsenal held on for a 1-0 win. The performance was not memorable, but it was about results—and Arsenal got the result they needed.
8. Raya's Save
The VAR saga may overshadow David Raya's exploits in the West Ham win, but Arsenal fans will not forget. With 12 minutes to go and the game 0-0, Mateus Fernandes found himself one-on-one with Raya. The Spaniard denied him with his right leg. A goal could have been terminal. The value of an elite goalkeeper shone through.
9. The Atletico Semi-Final
Arsenal's Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid came when they were being questioned. In the first leg in Madrid, they stood up, taking the lead before the hosts levelled. Back at the Emirates, they took a first-half lead that proved decisive, taking them to their second Champions League final. The confidence from that success propelled them back into form domestically.
10. The Final Hurdle
Beating Burnley 1-0 on Monday night was the final win needed before becoming champions. The winner came from a corner against the already relegated Clarets. It was not pretty, but it was effective. Arsenal will not go down as the most aesthetically impressive champions, but they will not care.
