Arsenal finally end 22-year Premier League drought as Mikel Arteta's fearless squad brings tears to fans' eyes

Arsenal are Premier League champions. After three consecutive runners-up finishes and a 22-year wait, Mikel Arteta's side have finally crossed the line, confirmed on Tuesday night when Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth. Junior Kroupi put the hosts ahead in the 39th minute, and while Erling Haaland equalised deep into stoppage time, it was too little. The final whistle triggered scenes outside the Emirates that the club's supporters have been waiting two decades for.The road here was anything but clean. Arsenal led for most of the season, but a 2-1 defeat at the Etihad in April handed City what looked like a decisive edge. They rallied. And unlike the collapses of 2023 and 2024, when Guardiola's side gradually eroded their leads to snatch the title away, Arsenal held firm this time. They conceded just 26 goals all season, the fewest in the league, kept 19 clean sheets, and scored 24 goals from set pieces. Their 18 goals from corners alone is a Premier League era record. This was not a lucky title. It was engineered.Arteta, who joined as manager in December 2019, becomes the first former Premier League player to lift the trophy as a manager. Seven years of work, three near-misses, and considerable public scrutiny later, he has his answer. Former Arsenal goalkeeper Paul Robinson put it plainly on BBC Radio 5 Live: "The best gift you can give a good manager is time. You give a good manager time? There's the proof."Arsene Wenger, who led the Invincibles to Arsenal's last title in 2004, offered his congratulations through the club's official social media. "You did it," he wrote. "Champions go on when others stop. This is your time. Now, go on and enjoy every moment." Declan Rice was more blunt on Instagram, posting a celebration photo with a simple caption: "I told you all... it's done."Guardiola, who may leave City at the end of the season after a decade in charge, was gracious in defeat. "Congratulations Arsenal," he said. "Well deserved."This is Arsenal's 14th English title. They visit Crystal Palace on Sunday for their final game, and on May 30, they face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final, a chance to cap what would be the greatest season in the club's history.