Arsenal Seal Premier League Crown as Manchester City Stumble to Bournemouth

There could scarcely have been a more theatrical setting for Arsenal to collect the keys to their first Premier League crown in over two decades. The Gunners didn't need to do it themselves – Manchester City obliged by folding to Bournemouth instead – but few would begrudge them the manner in which their long wait finally ended.

Arteta's journey to this point began in December 2019 with a decidedly inauspicious 1-1 draw at Dean Court, a match that saw him field a ragtag collection including Sokratis and David Luiz in central defence, alongside Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Lucas Torreira, and a teenage Bukayo Saka deployed at left-back. Back then, talk of a Premier League title would have invited ridicule. An FA Cup arrived within eight months – enough to hint at something special – yet the league crown remained pure fantasy.

Not anymore. What began on the south coast seven years ago has culminated in the most fitting of conclusions, with Bournemouth inadvertently penning the final chapter of Arsenal's redemption story.

The Cherries themselves deserve billing as more than mere supporting cast. Their own ascent since their last Premier League relegation campaign has been breathtaking, and they'll sample European football for the first time in their history next season. When they defeated Arsenal back in April, many dismissed it as typical Gunner theatrics. Here, they proved themselves a genuinely exceptional outfit in remarkable form under Andoni Iraola's stewardship.

Eli Junior Kroupi delivered the decisive blow with a delicious curling finish shortly before the interval, using Abdukodir Khusanov as cover to find the top corner. The Bournemouth teenager set a new record for goals scored by a first-season Premier League debutant and became the first to net against each of the top three in a single campaign – a transfer that feels written in the stars.

City started with purpose but gradually ceded control as Bournemouth grew into the contest. The hosts struck the woodwork twice, Rayan testing the frame from a corner before David Brooks went close when clean through. Erling Haaland's stoppage-time leveller proved merely a consolation, offering no genuine hope of an improbable turnaround.

That late equaliser did carry an unfortunate sting for Bournemouth's Champions League ambitions. They now require victory over Nottingham Forest combined with a Brentford win over Liverpool – and a six-goal swing in their favour – to pip the Reds to fourth place. Given Bournemouth's current 17-game unbeaten streak and Liverpool's recent wobbles, it remains far from impossible.

Iraola's stock has never been higher, and any club eyeing managerial change this summer would be wise to pursue him. One outfit should absolutely not be tempted, however: Arsenal are, after all, the actual Premier League champions.