Arsenal were crowned Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years after Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth. The Gunners' long wait to add to their 13 top-flight titles ended when Pep Guardiola's side dropped points in their penultimate match, the game in hand they had over their rivals. This left Arsenal with an unassailable lead at the top and kicked off celebrations in north London.
Five Key Matches That Helped Mikel Arteta's Side Secure the Title
Tottenham 1-4 Arsenal (February 22)
Dropped points in draws at Brentford and Wolves—where they surrendered a two-goal lead—raised questions about Arsenal's title mentality ahead of a trip to Spurs. However, Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze both scored twice as the Gunners ran riot at their fierce rivals' home, silencing critics and moving five points clear of City.
Arsenal 2-0 Everton (March 14)
Arsenal laboured against David Moyes' well-drilled Everton side before Year 11 student Max Dowman's introduction in the 74th minute changed the game and the title race. Dowman provided Gyokeres' opener with one minute left, then struck a stoppage-time breakaway goal to become the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history at 16 years and 73 days.
Manchester City 2-1 Arsenal (April 19)
Arteta's side headed to the Etihad with just one win in five matches. Despite losing again—Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland scored either side of Kai Havertz's goal, taking the title race out of Arsenal's hands for the first time since October—it was not a bloodbath. Arsenal went toe-to-toe with City, and the performance renewed their belief. At the final whistle, Declan Rice told his teammates "it's not done," and he proved right. The Gunners used the "fuel" of losing to their rivals as a springboard to win their next four games without conceding.
Arsenal 3-0 Fulham (May 2)
Arsenal had been a bundle of nerves at the Emirates all season, but the shackles were off against Fulham. Gyokeres scored twice and Bukayo Saka also found the net. The home crowd was suddenly back onside, and the result moved Arsenal six points clear of City. Guardiola's side had two games in hand but would draw 3-3 with Everton, allowing Arteta's men to claw back the initiative.
Arsenal 1-0 Burnley (May 18)
It was not a vintage performance, but it will be remembered as the game that put the club on the brink. Arsenal's breakthrough came, as it so often did in their championship-winning campaign, from a corner—19 of Arsenal's 69 Premier League goals this season have come from corners—with Havertz heading home in the 36th minute. The win meant City had to beat Bournemouth, and after Guardiola's men came unstuck on the south coast, Arsenal celebrated their first title in 22 years.
