Arsenal F.C. have emerged champions of the Premier League for the 2025/26 season, ending a 22-year wait for the English top-flight crown after closest challengers Manchester City F.C. were held to a 1-1 draw by AFC Bournemouth on Tuesday.
The result means Arsenal can no longer be caught at the top of the table with one game left to play, sealing a long-awaited triumph for the North London club and manager Mikel Arteta, who has now guided the side to its first league title since 2004.
Arsenal’s success comes after several near misses in recent seasons. The club had finished as runners-up in the previous three campaigns, twice narrowly behind Manchester City, leading many to question whether Arteta’s side could finally take the decisive step. This season, however, the Gunners showed consistency and resilience to maintain their position at the summit for most of the campaign.
The title race appeared to swing in City’s favour in April after Arsenal suffered a 2-1 defeat at the Etihad Stadium, allowing Pep Guardiola’s men to close the gap significantly. Yet Arsenal responded with a series of crucial victories, regaining momentum and taking advantage of City’s slip-up at Bournemouth to confirm their championship.
With 82 points from 37 matches, Arsenal have built an unassailable lead over City, who remain on 78 points heading into the final round of fixtures. The Gunners’ strong defensive record has been a major factor in the triumph, with the team conceding fewer goals than any other side in the division.
For Arsenal supporters, the victory marks the end of a long title drought stretching back to the historic 2003/04 season, when the team under legendary manager Arsène Wenger completed the entire campaign unbeaten to become known as the “Invincibles.” Since then, the club had come close on several occasions but failed to reclaim the crown.
The triumph also ends a six-year wait for major silverware and represents another milestone in Arteta’s rebuilding project at the Emirates Stadium. Since taking charge, the former Arsenal captain has overseen a gradual transformation of the squad, blending experienced stars with younger talents to build one of Europe’s strongest teams.
The Premier League trophy will be presented to Arsenal after their final match of the season against Crystal Palace F.C. at Selhurst Park on Sunday, where players and fans are expected to celebrate the club’s first league title in over two decades.
Arsenal’s season could become even more memorable as they remain in contention for European glory. The newly crowned English champions are set to face Paris Saint-Germain F.C. in the UEFA Champions League final in Budapest on May 30, giving Arteta’s side the opportunity to complete a remarkable double and secure the first Champions League title in the club’s history.
