Arsenal ended their 22-year wait to win the Premier League after Manchester City beat Bournemouth 1-1.
Mikel Arteta’s side held off the challenge of Josep Guardiola’s second-placed City on Tuesday night, clinching a much-needed victory with one game remaining.
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Here are the key factors that helped the Gunners finally get over the line after three seasons of runners-up finishes.
back to basics
Arsenal’s title-winning campaign has been ugly at times. In recent seasons, Arteta’s Arsenal have symbolized a more back-to-basics approach in English football.
The clean passing of the Guardiola era and the solid football of the Jurgen Klopp era have given way to set pieces, long throw-ins and long balls from the back.
It’s a world Arsenal have mastered with Gabriel Magalhães a threat in the corners, Declan Rice key with his pinpoint throws and dead-ball delivery, and Victor Goqueres a more robust out-and-out striker.
Specialist coach Nicolas Jobar, often derided as ‘Set Piece FC’ by rival fans for his lack of creativity, devised a series of inventive schemes to give Arsenal an edge.
More than 40 per cent of the Gunners’ Premier League goals this season have come from dead-ball situations. Of the 28 goals scored from set pieces, 18 came from corner kicks, a new Premier League single-season record.
The Gunners, on the other hand, have the best defensive record in the league, conceding just 26 goals in 37 games this season, and their solidity and ruggedness will be the hallmarks of this title-winning side.
Rice’s leadership, Raya’s save and Gokeres’ goal.
Rice and goalkeeper David Raya have been outstanding for Arsenal this season and are among the favorites to win English football’s Player of the Year award.
Rice’s leadership, energy in midfield and set-piece delivery made him an integral part of the team and one of England’s key players heading into the World Cup.
Raya helped Arsenal keep 19 clean sheets and won the Golden Glove Award for the third consecutive year.
“For me, David Raya has to be the player of the season,” former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira told Sky Sports. “I think he was outstanding from the first game until the end of the season. I think he was really impressive.”
Throw in Gokeres, who scored 21 goals in all competitions in his first season at the club, and it’s clear that Arteta has built the most balanced team of his tenure.
deep strength
Injuries played a devastating role in Arsenal’s failed attempt to chase down Liverpool last season.
Arteta’s decision to invest heavily in strengthening his squad has paid off this season despite injuries to the likes of Saka, Magalhães, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Julian Timber.
New signings Gokeres, Ebelesi Eze, Martin Zvimendi, Noni Maduke, Piero Hincapie and Cristian Mosquera all made major contributions to Arsenal getting over the line in the Premier League and within one game of winning the Champions League for the first time.
unconventional method
Having finished runners-up in the Premier League for the past three years, Arsenal’s players and Arteta have been derided as “almost a man” and even a choker by many football pundits.
Another view is that they have built up the experience and determination that are prerequisites for an eventual successful tilt to the title.
Arteta continued to believe in his team and continued to come up with unconventional and mocking ways to motivate his players. Reports said professional pickpockets were hired to attend a pre-season dinner and steal items from players, underscoring the need for players to remain vigilant.
Arteta brought light bulbs into the dressing room before one game, linking his team’s brightness to the demand to light up the Emirates Stadium. Just a few weeks ago, a TikTok video featuring fan chants was played on the big screen during a practice session.
Arsenal have become even tougher mentally this season, getting off to a strong start and hanging on until the end despite City’s trademark late-season spells.
Rivals faltering
Arsenal piled up more points two years ago when they lost the title to City despite winning 16 of their last 18 games.
Over the past decade, City and Liverpool have often set high standards, winning the league with over 90 points.
This time 82 points was enough to get Arsenal over the line.
Despite taking the title race into the final week of the season, City lacked the consistency and tenacity of Guardiola’s best teams while Liverpool’s title defense collapsed.
