After more than two decades, Arsenal have reclaimed their place at the summit of English football. The Gunners were officially crowned Premier League champions on Tuesday evening after Manchester City could only manage a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth. This marks the first time since 2004 that the North London club has lifted the trophy, ending a 22-year wait that seemed interminable for their supporters.
Mikel Arteta, the man who once served as Pep Guardiola’s assistant, has now etched his name into Arsenal folklore. The Spanish manager has orchestrated a remarkable turnaround, taking a team that languished in mediocrity for years and transforming them into title winners. His achievement is all the more impressive given that he has now finished above Guardiola in the Premier League standings on two separate occasions.
“It’s surreal. After so long, it finally happened,” remarked JJ Omojuwa, a Nigerian author and political commentator, in an interview with DAILY POST. “Some people are surprised by the outpouring of emotion from Arsenal fans, but they shouldn’t be. For years, they endured taunts and jokes about their trophy drought. The joy is entirely justified.”
The path to glory was not straightforward. Arsenal’s decline began after the construction of the Emirates Stadium, which imposed severe financial constraints. Meanwhile, Roman Abramovich’s arrival at Chelsea inflated the transfer market, leaving the Gunners unable to compete for top talent. Arsene Wenger did his best under those circumstances, getting close on several occasions, but a combination of bad luck and a thin squad always seemed to let them down.
This season, however, everything clicked. City’s surprising slip-ups—first a 3-3 draw at Everton and then the stalemate at Bournemouth—opened the door, and Arsenal walked through it with purpose. “The Premier League this year was incredibly tough,” Omojuwa noted. “Even relegated teams managed to take points off the big sides. City’s dip can’t simply be blamed on Guardiola’s impending departure, because they were far from their best all season. They invested heavily in the emotional win over Arsenal earlier and simply ran out of steam for the final hurdles.”
With Guardiola set to leave City at the end of the week, the landscape of English football appears poised for a shift. Arteta has laid the foundation for sustained success, and many believe a dynasty is possible. “The mental barrier of winning the first title is gone,” Omojuwa added. “Now, it’s about retaining the core, resisting interest from clubs like Real Madrid, and strengthening wisely. The focus should be on building a lasting legacy.”
For Arsenal fans, the wait is finally over. The Invincibles’ legacy now has a worthy successor, and Arteta has ensured that the club’s future looks brighter than ever.