Arsenal celebrated their first Premier League title in 22 years on Tuesday after Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw by Bournemouth, handing Mikel Arteta’s side an insurmountable lead with a game to spare. The result ended a six-year trophy drought for the club and ended three consecutive seasons as runners-up. It is their 14th English top-flight crown and their first since Arsene Wenger’s “Invincibles” in 2004.

How did Arsenal win the Premier League title in 2026?

Arsenal were confirmed champions when Manchester City failed to beat Bournemouth, drawing 1-1 at the Vitality Stadium. City needed a win to take the title race to the final day but could not deliver. Erling Haaland’s stoppage-time equaliser came too late to matter, leaving Arsenal five points clear with one game remaining.

What did the title win mean for Mikel Arteta?

Arteta becomes the first Arsenal manager to win the English top prize since Wenger, whose unbeaten side claimed the title in the 2003/04 season. The Spaniard had guided Arsenal to second place in each of the previous three seasons before finally crossing the line. Red smoke from flares billowed around the Emirates in north London as fans sang “Campeones” and chanted his name.

At the club’s training ground, Arsenal players had gathered to watch the Bournemouth match unfold. Wenger himself marked the occasion with a video posted to the club’s social media channels. “You did it! Champions go on when others stop. This is your time. Now, go on and enjoy every moment,” he said.

How did Arsenal reach the title with a game to spare?

Arsenal had edged to the brink of the title with an unconvincing 1-0 win over already relegated Burnley on Monday. That result took them five points clear of City, meaning a draw in Manchester would be enough. The Gunners had set the pace for most of the season and responded strongly after losing to City last month, winning four straight league matches without conceding a goal.

“Congratulations to Arsenal, Mikel, the staff, all the players, fans for this Premier League,” said City boss Pep Guardiola. “You deserve it!”

What happened to Manchester City at Bournemouth?

Guardiola had warned before the match that fatigue could cost City against a Bournemouth side still chasing Champions League qualification. City fans chanted “One more year, Guardiola” in the early stages, hoping to convince their coach to stay beyond the end of his contract. Their players gave them little to cheer.

Bournemouth opened the scoring in the 39th minute when Eli Junior Kroupi curled into the top corner, setting a new record of 13 goals in a debut Premier League season for a teenager. The home side failed to extend their lead, and Haaland equalised deep into stoppage time. It was not enough for City, whose title challenge had already unravelled following a 3-3 draw at Everton earlier in the month.

Bournemouth, in Andoni Iraola’s final home game in charge, extended their unbeaten streak to 17 league games and secured European football for the first time in the club’s history.

What is next for Arsenal after their Premier League triumph?

Arsenal will be formally presented with the trophy on Sunday after their final match of the season at Crystal Palace. Arteta’s side could still make it a historic double, with a Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain to come later this month. Victory would deliver the club’s first European Cup and complete one of the most celebrated seasons in their history.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, a self-declared Arsenal supporter, marked the occasion on X. “22 long years for the Arsenal. But finally, we’re back where we belong. Champions!” he posted.

What does the future hold for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City?

Guardiola’s future at City has been thrown into doubt, with widespread reports emerging on Monday that he plans to leave after a decade in charge. Those reports surfaced just 48 hours after City completed a domestic cup double with victory over Chelsea in the FA Cup final at Wembley, a 20th trophy of his reign. He will take charge of one final home game when Aston Villa visit the Etihad on Sunday.

“The first person I have to talk to is my chairman,” Guardiola said. “We decide when we finish the season, we’ll sit down and we’ll talk. After that, we’ll take the decision.” Guardiola would leave having failed to win the league in two consecutive seasons for the first time in his managerial career.