Arsenal crowned Premier League champions as Man City draw 1-1 at Bournemouth
Synopsis
Arsenal's 22-year Premier League wait is over — not by winning, but by watching City drop points at Bournemouth. Haaland's last-gasp equaliser made it dramatic, but a draw was never going to be enough. After three straight runner-up finishes, the Gunners finally have their title, and English football has a new dominant force.
Key Takeaways
Arsenal are the 2025/26 Premier League champions , winning the title for the first time in 22 years .
Manchester City drew 1-1 at Bournemouth on 20 May , ending their title defence at the penultimate stage.
Junior Kroupi scored for Bournemouth in the 39th minute ; Erling Haaland equalised deep into injury time.
Arsenal had finished as runners-up for three consecutive seasons , including losing out to City by two points in 2023/24.
Bournemouth secured a point that guarantees them European football for the first time in their history.
The result denies Pep Guardiola what would have been a seventh Premier League title at City.
Arsenal were crowned Premier League champions for 2025/26 on 20 May after Manchester City could only manage a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth, ending Pep Guardiola's side's last hope of retaining the title. It is Arsenal's first league title in 22 years, ending a painful run of three consecutive runners-up finishes.
How the Title Was Decided
City arrived at the Vitality Stadium knowing only a win would keep their title defence alive. The match lived up to its billing as a high-quality contest, with both sides creating clear opportunities. However, a 39th-minute strike from Junior Kroupi put Bournemouth ahead and left City chasing the game.
The equaliser came dramatically deep into injury time, when Erling Haaland smashed home a rebound after Rodri had struck the post with 90 seconds remaining. The goal sparked a grandstand finish, but time ran out and the draw was not enough to prevent Arsenal from claiming the crown.
Key Moments from the Match
Jeremy Doku tested Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic as early as the 5th minute with a low drive. Antoine Semenyo — making his first return to Bournemouth since his January move to City — had the ball in the net in the 13th minute, only to be ruled fractionally offside. Bournemouth's Evanilson spurned a glaring chance in the 16th minute, spooning a shot over the bar from six yards before later blocking a goal-bound Haaland effort.
Substitute David Brooks almost killed the contest in the 91st minute, only for his shot to clip the foot of the post — moments before Haaland's late strike set nerves jangling.
What This Means for Arsenal
The title ends a 22-year wait for Arsenal, whose last league championship came in 2003/04. The Gunners had finished as runners-up in each of the past three seasons, including in 2023/24 when City pipped them by just two points. This triumph represents a significant shift in the Premier League's balance of power after City's prolonged period of domestic dominance.
Bournemouth's Historic Milestone
The draw was not without reward for Bournemouth, who secured the point they needed to guarantee European football for the first time in the club's history — a remarkable achievement for a side that spent much of its recent past outside the top flight.
What This Ends for Guardiola's City
The result denies City what would have been a seventh Premier League title under Guardiola. City did claim both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup this season, but the league title — the centrepiece of their recent dominance — passes to Arsenal with one match of the season still remaining.
Point of View
But also of a City side that has visibly aged without adequate renewal. Guardiola still delivered two cups this season, but the league is the only currency that defines an era. The more telling subplot is Bournemouth: a club that was in League One not long ago has now secured European football, a reminder that the Premier League's mid-table has never been more competitive. The question for next season is whether Arsenal can defend, or whether they become the new nearly-men.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Arsenal last win the Premier League?
Arsenal last won the Premier League in the 2003/04 season — their famous 'Invincibles' campaign — making the 2025/26 title their first in 22 years.
Why did Manchester City fail to win the Premier League title?
Manchester City drew 1-1 at Bournemouth on 20 May, when only a victory would have kept their title challenge alive. Erling Haaland's injury-time equaliser came too late to change the outcome, and the draw handed the title to Arsenal.
Who scored in the Man City vs Bournemouth match?
Junior Kroupi opened the scoring for Bournemouth in the 39th minute. Erling Haaland equalised for Manchester City deep into injury time after Rodri struck the post.
What does the result mean for Bournemouth?
The draw secured a point that guarantees Bournemouth European football for the first time in the club's history — a landmark achievement for the south coast side.
How many Premier League titles has Pep Guardiola won at Manchester City?
Pep Guardiola has won six Premier League titles at Manchester City. The 2025/26 season ends without a seventh, with City instead winning the Carabao Cup and FA Cup this term.
