Arsenal were crowned Premier League champions on Tuesday, May 19, ending a 22-year wait for the title after Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw by AFC Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. Pep Guardiola’s side needed a win to keep the title race alive, but despite a late strike from Erling Haaland, City could not secure all three points.
The result confirmed Arsenal as champions under manager Mikel Arteta, ending a six-year wait for major silverware. The Gunners had finished runners-up in each of the previous three seasons before finally claiming the title.
Arsenal had moved to the brink of the title on Monday with a 1-0 win over already-relegated Burnley, opening a five-point gap over City. They had led the title race for much of the season and responded to last month’s defeat against City by winning four consecutive league matches without conceding a goal.
City’s title bid ended amid widespread reports that Guardiola will leave the club at the end of the season after a decade in charge. Just 48 hours before the Bournemouth match, Guardiola had guided City to a domestic cup double by defeating Chelsea in the FA Cup final at Wembley, securing the 20th trophy of his tenure. Sunday’s home match against Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium is expected to be his final game in charge. He finishes his City tenure with six Premier League titles but will not add a seventh.
Before the match, Guardiola acknowledged that fatigue could be a factor against a Bournemouth side still chasing European qualification. Bournemouth have secured at least a seventh-place finish, guaranteeing UEFA Europa League football. A sixth-place finish could still earn them Champions League qualification if Aston Villa finish fifth and win Wednesday’s UEFA Europa League final.
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Manchester City supporters at the Vitality Stadium chanted “One more year, Guardiola” early in the match, but the result did not deliver the farewell performance they had hoped for.