Arsenal are Premier League champions again after a 22-year wait, ending years of near misses to edge Manchester City to the crown.
Mikel Arteta’s side clinched the title on Tuesday following City’s 1-1 draw at Bournemouth.
The Gunners secured the trophy with a game to spare after dominating the league for most of the season.
They will lift the trophy after Sunday’s final-day clash with Crystal Palace and still have a shot at a historic double with the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain later this month.
City needed victory at the Vitality Stadium to take the race to the last day but could not find a winner.
Erling Haaland’s stoppage-time equaliser was not enough as Arsenal were confirmed champions.
Club legend Arsene Wenger, who last led Arsenal to the title in 2004, urged the squad to savour the moment.
“You did it. Champions go on, when others stop. This is your time. Now, go on and enjoy every moment,” he posted on the club’s social media accounts.
Former Arsenal forward Alan Smith said the triumph was fully deserved.
“Brilliant! Fully deserved. They have had the best defence, they haven’t had the best attack, but as an overall unit Mikel Arteta has done incredibly well,” he said.
Smith admitted he feared a late twist before the Palace game.
“I was very worried about the last-day game at Palace…so pleased!” he added. He noted the pressure of ending a long drought.
“You have to have nervy moments when you haven’t won it for that long and Arsenal did have them.
“But hopefully now they can play with freedom. It almost feels that the Champions League final is a free hit now.”
Midfielder Declan Rice celebrated with teammates on Instagram, posting a picture captioned, “I told you all.. it’s done.”
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