Arsenal have been crowned Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years after Bournemouth held Manchester City to a 1-1 draw at the Vitality Stadium. The result means City can no longer catch Arsenal at the top of the table, with Mikel Arteta's side securing a 14th league title.
Pep Guardiola refused to comment on his future after the match, despite speculation that he would confirm his departure. He stated: 'I have one more year of my contract. I will talk to the chairman at the end of the season. I will not tell you here – I have to talk to my chairman, my players and my staff.' Guardiola added: 'We were close. On behalf of everyone at Manchester City, we congratulate Mikel and all the staff, players and fans on winning the Premier League. They deserve it.'
Bournemouth took the lead through a goal from Eli Junior Kroupi, who wrote his name in north London legend for ever, as the title race reached its conclusion on the south coast. Erling Haaland scored a late equaliser for City in the 90+4th minute, but it was not enough to prevent Arsenal's triumph. The draw also ensured Bournemouth qualified for European football for the first time in their history, capping a remarkable season under Andoni Iraola.
Arsenal's journey under Mikel Arteta has been one of steady progress: finishes of 8th, 8th, 5th, 2nd, 2nd, 2nd, and now 1st. The club's board held their nerve after a difficult start in 2020, and the title was sealed thanks to a disciplined defensive approach in the final weeks of the season.
City's title challenge ultimately faltered due to a mad 15 minutes at Everton earlier in the campaign. For Guardiola, a decade of dominance ends in anticlimax, with only two domestic cups this season. The manager will now announce his decision on his own terms, possibly at the Etihad after Sunday's game.
