Arsenal crowned Premier League champions after 22 years

Arsenal were crowned Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years on May 19, 2026, after Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth. This draw allowed Arsenal to secure their 14th top-flight title, ending their long wait since their last championship. Manchester City's dropped points in their penultimate match gave Arsenal an unassailable lead at the top of the table and kicked off the celebrations in north London.

Several key matches throughout the season played a vital role in Mikel Arteta’s side overcoming Manchester City to claim the title.

The first significant match was Tottenham 1-4 Arsenal on February 22, where Arsenal silenced critics who questioned their title credentials. Despite previous disappointments in draws against Brentford and Wolves, the Gunners produced a dominant performance at Tottenham's ground, with Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze both scoring twice.

Another critical moment came on March 14, when Arsenal faced Everton and laboured to a 2-0 victory. Year 11 student Max Dowman made a significant impact after coming on in the 74th minute, assisting Gyokeres and then scoring a stoppage-time goal, making him the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history.

On April 19, Arsenal met Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, losing 2-1, but the performance instilled renewed belief in the team despite taking their title race out of their hands for the first time in months. Declan Rice’s motivating words after the match, stating “it’s not done,” proved prophetic.

The team regained momentum, winning their next four matches without conceding, which included a crucial 3-0 victory at home against Fulham on May 2. This victory reassured their home crowd and moved Arsenal six points clear of City.

The final nail in the title race came on May 18, when Arsenal defeated Burnley 1-0. The win, secured by a corner header from Kai Havertz in the 36th minute, meant Arsenal could celebrate their championship after Manchester City stumbled at Bournemouth. After more than two decades, Arsenal returned to the pinnacle of English football.