Arteta's First Words as Arsenal Claim Premier League Crown; Wenger Delivers Message

Arsenal have ended two decades of hurt to claim the Premier League title after Manchester City's failure to beat Bournemouth on Tuesday night mathematically confirmed the Gunners' coronation.

The draw at the Vitality Stadium left Pep Guardiola's side four points adrift with only one match remaining, handing Arsenal an insurmountable advantage heading into the season's finale this weekend.

It marks the Gunners' first top-flight crown since the 2003/04 campaign, when Arsene Wenger's legendary "Invincibles" swept to glory without losing a single league match.

Mikel Arteta wasted little time in addressing the Arsenal faithful following confirmation of the title. In a video message released by the club, the Spanish manager said: "We made history again, together. I cannot be happier, prouder for everybody that is involved in this football club. Let's enjoy the moment."

Guardiola, whose City side lifted the FA Cup just days earlier, was magnanimous in defeat. Speaking to reporters after the Bournemouth stalemate, he said: "Congratulate Arsenal, Mikel, staff, backroom staff, fans for this Premier League, well deserved. At the same time, for my manager career, one of the years that we fought the most with incredible things that we could not control and we were there, never give up, give up. I would have loved to arrive in the last moment, you know, to try. Of course, it wasn't in our hands, but yeah, today the fatigue was there."

Arsene Wenger, the architect of Arsenal's previous three Premier League triumphs, offered his blessing to the current squad. Raising a glass of red wine, the former manager remarked: "You did it. Champions go on when others stop. This is your time. Now, go on and enjoy every moment."

Arsenal legend Alan Smith, working as summariser for Sky Sports coverage of City's match, offered his perspective on the achievement. He said: "Brilliant! It's fully deserved. Arsenal have had the best defence – they haven't had the best attack – but as an overall unit Mikel Arteta has done incredibly well."

Smith went on to acknowledge the psychological burden of such a lengthy drought. He added: "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."