The day after Arsenal’s small but precious victory against Burnley (1-0), Manchester City knew that they had no other choice but to win this Tuesday at Bournemouth to still believe in the title of champion of England. Unfortunately for their supporters, Pep Guardiola’s men cracked in their distance fight and were held in check at Bournemouth (1-1, 37th day). Enough to give Arsenal their first league title since 2004.
More than two decades of waiting for the Gunners who finished in second place in the last three Premier League seasons. In addition to the Community Shield of 2023, this is Arsenal’s first major trophy since their FA Cup in 2020. On the Manchester City side, it is inevitably a grimace. But like their coach, the Skyblues once again seemed tired and short of ideas.
Knowing the facts of the problem, Erling Haaland and his team were ahead of themselves in the first period. And it is not necessarily illogical if they conceded the opening score signed Eli Kroupi Junior (1-0, 39th). Certainly more shots on the visitors’ side in this first act, but therefore much more success for the Cherries. At the break, the Arsenal fans were seriously starting to believe it in front of their screens.
Manchester City and Erling Haaland react too late
Probably pushed by Pep Guardiola at the break, the Cityzens went full ball and Nico O’Reilly came up against Djordje Petrovic, author of a masterful and saving save to avoid the equalizer (47th). Guardiola, again, then made three changes an hour into the game. Rayan Cherki notably came on and immediately brought more movement and percussion.
But the Cherries regrouped well to play against. On one of them, David Brooks thought he had doubled the bet, but it was the post which stopped his attempt (90th). At the end of stoppage time, Erling Haaland brought his team back to the level of a powerful cross shot from the left (1-1, 90th + 5). Much too late to hope for anything better than a share of points. Manchester City is therefore beaten by Arsenal in the race for the Premier League title. Even before the last day of the championship, Mikel Arteta’s Gunners won their fourteenth league title.
