•Arsenal players celebrate
Arsenal players have celebrated their English Premier League (EPL) title victory in style, with winger Bukayo Saka declaring that critics who once mocked the team are “not laughing at us anymore.”
The Gunners secured their first league title in over two decades on Tuesday after closest rivals Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw by Bournemouth, leaving Arsenal with an unassailable four-point lead ahead of the final round of matches.
Players and staff gathered at the club’s London Colney training ground to watch the decisive fixture, while thousands of fans stormed the Emirates Stadium in celebration, lighting fireworks and flares to mark the historic moment.
Arsenal, who had finished as runners-up for the past three seasons, had faced accusations of “bottling” the title race, particularly after a 2-1 defeat to Manchester City on April 19.
However, Mikel Arteta’s side responded strongly, winning their next four matches without conceding a goal, while City dropped points in draws against Everton and Bournemouth.
In a celebratory video shared by defender Jurrien Timber, Saka reflected on the team’s journey and the criticism they endured.
“Light that up,” Saka said, referring to a blacked-out Premier League trophy installed at the training ground by Arteta. “Let me tell you something. Twenty-two years, 22 years. there was laughing, there was joking, they’re not laughing anymore. Look, it is going to be shining, it is going to be shining bright.”
Young midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly also took a swipe at critics in a post shared on Saka’s Instagram page.
“They called us bottlers,” he said. “And now we’re holding the bottle.”
Arteta’s triumph sees him join an elite group of individuals who have won the Premier League as both a player and a manager. The Spaniard had returned to Arsenal in December 2019 with the club struggling, but has since rebuilt the team into champions.
Former manager Arsene Wenger, who guided Arsenal to three league titles including the famous 2004 “Invincibles” season, congratulated the team in a message.
“You did it. Champions go on when others stop. This is your time. Now, go on and enjoy every moment,” Wenger said.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola also praised his former assistant.
“On behalf of everyone at Manchester City, we congratulate Mikel and all the staff, players and fans on winning the Premier League,” Guardiola told Sky Sports. “They deserve it, for so much hard work and effort.”
Arsenal will be officially presented with the Premier League trophy after their final game of the season against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
The north London club could cap off a remarkable campaign with a double, as they prepare to face Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final in Budapest on May 30.
