Former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has led tributes to the club after the Gunners clinched their first Premier League title in 22 years, ending one of the longest waits in the club’s modern history.
Arsenal were officially crowned champions after Manchester City failed to beat Bournemouth in their penultimate league fixture on Wednesday night. Although Erling Haaland struck deep into stoppage time, Pep Guardiola’s side could not find the winning goal needed to keep the title race alive, handing Mikel Arteta’s men an unassailable lead at the top of the table.
The triumph marks Arsenal’s first league title since Wenger guided the famous “Invincibles” side to glory in 2004, completing an unbeaten campaign that remains one of the greatest achievements in English football history.
Wenger, who spent more than two decades at the club and won three Premier League titles as manager, joined the celebrations in an emotional message shared by Arsenal on social media shortly after the title was confirmed.
“You did it. Champions go on when others stop. This is your time. Now, go on and enjoy every moment,” Wenger said in the club’s celebratory post.
The Frenchman’s message quickly resonated with Arsenal supporters worldwide, many of whom have long credited Wenger with laying the foundations for the club’s modern identity despite enduring difficult years before his departure in 2018.
Current manager Mikel Arteta, who once played under Wenger at Arsenal, has now succeeded in delivering the title that narrowly escaped the club in recent seasons. The Spaniard’s side had finished runners-up multiple times before finally dethroning Manchester City this campaign with a blend of defensive solidity, attacking flair and consistency.
Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith, who won two league titles with the club, also praised Arteta and the squad for finally getting over the line after years of frustration.
“Brilliant, brilliant, fully deserved,” Smith said on Sky Sports.
“Obviously, they’ve had their moments in the last few seasons where they’ve come second, but you deserve to win it if you finish top.
“They’ve had the best defence. They haven’t had the best attack – you’d probably say City have got the best attack – but, as an overall unit, Mikel Arteta’s done brilliantly well. I’m really pleased for my old club.”
Arsenal are expected to receive the Premier League trophy officially after their final game of the season away to Crystal Palace on Sunday, with celebrations already erupting across North London following confirmation of the title win.
The success also represents a major personal milestone for Arteta, who has transformed Arsenal from a rebuilding side into champions of England, restoring the club’s status among Europe’s elite and ending Manchester City’s era of domestic dominance.
