Arsenal have been crowned Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years, sparking jubilant scenes as Bukayo Saka delivered a pointed message to the club's critics. The Gunners secured their 14th top-flight title after Manchester City could only manage a 1-1 draw with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Wild Celebrations at London Colney and the Emirates
Players and staff gathered at the club's London Colney training base to watch the decisive match. When the final whistle confirmed City's draw, wild celebrations erupted. Thousands of fans also congregated outside the Emirates Stadium, setting off fireworks and flares to mark the long-awaited triumph.
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright, who scored 185 goals for the club and won the title in 1998, was mobbed by supporters as he joined the festivities outside the ground.
Saka and Lewis-Skelly Take Aim at Detractors
Arsenal had faced accusations of "bottling" their title bid after a 2-1 defeat at City on 19 April. However, they bounced back with four consecutive wins without conceding, while City dropped points against Everton and Bournemouth.
In footage posted by defender Jurrien Timber on Instagram, Saka is seen standing next to a blacked-out Premier League trophy that manager Mikel Arteta had installed at the training base, designed to light up only when Arsenal became champions. "Light that up," Saka said. "Let me tell you something. Twenty-two years, 22 years. There was laughing, there was joking. They're not laughing anymore. Look, it is going to be shining, it is going to be shining bright."
In a separate Instagram story on Saka's channel, academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly held a champagne bottle and declared: "They called us bottlers. And now we're holding the bottle."
Players Party at the Emirates
Some players took the celebration to the Emirates Stadium. Eberechi Eze posted a picture outside the stadium alongside Declan Rice, Timber, and Saka in the early hours of Wednesday. Eze's Instagram slides also included a picture of an Arsenal-branded bottle, another jibe at critics.
Rice, who had told teammates after the defeat at City "It's not done," posted a picture from the training base with the caption: "I told you all... it's done."
Wenger and Guardiola Pay Tribute
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who led the club to three Premier League titles including the 2004 'Invincibles' season, featured in a celebratory post. He said: "You did it. Champions go on when others stop. This is your time. Now, go on and enjoy every moment."
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, who had Arteta as his assistant for two league titles, paid tribute: "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, for so much hard work and effort."
What's Next for Arsenal?
Arteta's side will receive the trophy after their final league match at Crystal Palace on Sunday. They could still achieve an historic double, as they chase their first Champions League title against Paris St Germain in Budapest on 30 May.
