By Ed Aarons
Enduring much ridicules over the decades, especially with several close shaves with the ultimate crown in English football, Arsenal became the laughing stock of football with its nearly syndrome.
But not any more.
Finally, after 22 years, Arsenal are English Premier League (EPL) champions –for the first time since Arsène Wenger’s Invincibles in 2004 after Manchester City drew 1-1 at Bournemouth today.
It caps a remarkable achievement for Mikel Arteta in his first job in management, the Spaniard having transformed Arsenal into contenders since taking over from Unai Emery in December 2019.
His team finished as runners-up in the past three campaigns and led the way for most of this season before City whittled down Arsenal’s nine-point lead after beating them at the Etihad in April.
Despite carrying the scars of previous years, Arteta’s side emerged strongest from what in effect became a five-game playoff between the two contenders.
City blinked first when they drew against Everton, with Arsenal recording four successive wins without conceding a goal – culminating in Monday’s 1-0 victory over Burnley.
Arteta said he expected to find it hard to watch City’s game against Bournemouth given its significance but Arsenal fans had gathered in the pubs near the Emirates in anticipation of Andoni Iraola’s side securing a positive result and celebrated wildly on the final whistle, spilling on the street.
Within 10 minutes of the title being confirmed, thousands were marching towards the Emirates.
Arsenal will receive the EPL trophy at Selhurst Park on Sunday after they face Crystal Palace in their final game.
Arteta will become the longest-serving manager in England’s top four divisions when Guardiola’s departure from City after 10 years is confirmed and has the chance to emulate his mentor by winning the Champions League when Arsenal face Paris Saint-Germain on 30 May.
Only on five occasions have an English team won the top division and the European Cup in the same season, with City the last to accomplish that feat in 2023.
