Sam Drury
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal's wait is over.

After 22 long years, the Gunners can finally celebrate another Premier League title.

The disappointment of three consecutive second-placed finishes can now be put behind them as Mikel Arteta's side successfully held off the challenge of Manchester City to be crowned champions.

BBC Sport looks at the key moments that helped turn Arsenal from nearly men to league winners.

You can read more into the key moments here.

And if you're wondering where the Arsenal players watched tonight's action unfold.

The 2025-26 Premier League champions watched on from Arsenal's training ground, and pictures have been released of their title celebrations.

Also, that's not quite the Premier League trophy just yet; that's a cardboard cut-out.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City

Man City captain Bernardo Silva, speaking to BBC MOTD: "Disappointment. We know this is the main title for the season because it is the longest.

"It is the one you work the most for. We gave it a fight, we fought until the end. Proud of the guys, but it is not enough at this level.

"I hope for the next season they can have this feeling of not regret, but a bit of something inside that makes them go even more. They have the quality and they have the potential.

"I hate the feeling of losing. If you want to be in a club of Man City you have to be like that. It is not enough at the football club, especially the Premier League is the main target for the club.

"Hopefully they can have that feeling of wanting to achieve more for the next season."

On Pep' Guardiola's future: "Well, I honestly don't know about it. That's his decision, that's his announcement to make if he stays or if he goes. That's not on me."

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi speaking to Sky Sports following his side's 2-1 defeat by Chelsea: "We created a first chance to score with Tel. It was a big save for Sanchez. Then we concede one great goal because Fernandez, a big player, we could do something better. Then we stay in the game until the second goal, we lost a stupid ball. We conceded a second goal. But before the second goal, we created a big big chance with Richarlison.

"I think we played a very good game. We lost.

"But now is not the time to think too much of this game. We have to prepare for the next game. We play in our stadium with our fans. With our qualities, with character, with pride and courage, we have to play. But I am positive because today we played a good game."

Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs midfielder James Maddison, speaking to Sky Sports: "We knew any sort of result would be very beneficial for us in the battle. It wasn't to be. We pushed hard in the last 20 minutes. It was probably a pretty even game. I don't remember them having many chances.

Coming on at 2-0 down: "It's an awful time. You want to get on the pitch at 1-0 and affect it. It's a lot more difficult at 2-0. It was a bit of a dagger as I was coming on.

"I've been out for a long time, so I'm not going to be at my fluid best. I've had a massive injury and you have to respect the injury a bit. I'm going to do what I can on Sunday.

On creativity: "It's my job, it's what I'm paid to do. I haven't played this season, but when I do, it's what we have to do. Hopefully, when I'm on the pitch, I have to try and help the team.

"Anyone who has worked in football or has had this injury, it's not easy to drop back in. It would be catastrophic for my career if something were to happen.

On Sunday: "We have to give everything for the club, for the badge, for the fans. It's a bit embarrassing that we're in this position. We're going to need our fans, who were unbelievable tonight. I think we have the best away following in the league."

Sami Mokbel and Alex Howell
Senior football correspondent and Arsenal reporter

Image source, Getty Images

A message about a boat, a fire at the training ground and an AI TikTok song have helped power Arsenal to their first Premier League title for 22 years.

Those things may sound unique but in their own ways they have contributed to the long-awaited success Mikel Arteta has brought to north London.

Arsenal became champions on Tuesday when Manchester City drew 1-1 at Bournemouth - but how have they won the title?

Just last month, with his team on a poor run of form that briefly threatened to scupper their title quest, he asked his players to metaphorically throw their negative thoughts into a fire that had been lit at the club's training ground.

In the longer term, Arteta has shown his penchant for hosting barbecues for his players, staff and their families at the club's London Colney headquarters - showing the importance he places on nurturing bonds.

And the fire continues to burn - with the title won, the Gunners will now target Champions League glory when they face Paris St-Germain on 30 May.

Read more from Sami and Alex here.

Chelsea

Chelsea interim head coach Calum McFarlane, speaking to Sky Sports: "Sometimes it wasn't pretty; it was what it looked like. We needed to show grit and determination. That's been questioned in this team before.

"We knew we couldn't match them with energy or intensity. You could see from minute one that there were some lads who were still feeling Wembley.

"I don't know when their last game was but it wasn't on Saturday. They had more energy. We had so many lads who put in a great shift at Wembley and went toe-to-toe with one of the best teams in Europe. We got a two-goal lead and defended it well.

"We haven't won in front of our own fans enough recently."

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is an Arsenal fan and has wrote this on X...

Image source, .

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

A foul - or in this case a penalty - can only be awarded if the ball is in play.

If the offence happens before the corner is kicked then the referee can't give a foul, they can only take disciplinary action - in this case a yellow card to Marc Cucurella.

The VAR will then check to make sure the ball has not been kicked while there is foul contact. If the attacker has already been pulled down there is no route for the VAR to initiate a review.

But two weeks ago, Everton were wrongly denied a penalty against Manchester City when Merlin Rohl was dragged the the floor by Bernardo Silva. The VAR decided the holding had stopped before a corner was taken, but the Premier League's key match incidents panel ruled that to be incorrect.

Chelsea

Chelsea interim head coach Calum McFarlane, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "The result was the most important thing. I thought we played really well. We were struggling with energy and intensity after Saturday. We needed to fight and stick together and I thought we did that really well.

"We haven't been able to plan because of the quick turnaround. Saturday was emotional because we were in the game. It's about switching off on the Sunday, coming in for one day to prep for Tottenham, who are fighting for their lives. We had to match them with fight, grit and determination.

On rivalry with Spurs: "It was mentioned at times about the intensity and the electricity that this would feel. Some players in the changing rooms knew what it would be but we couldn't get too emotional."

Premier League

Premier League Match Centre on X: "The referee’s call of no penalty to Tottenham Hotspur was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that the action from Cucurella had ended before the ball was in play."

Manchester City

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, speaking to BBC MOTD: "Second half when we made the substitutes, the impact was not what we needed, but 12 days to prepare for that game against three.

"We gave everything - a successful season, so I am really pleased. We fought against things we cannot control. At the end, we tried, tried and tried again. Really pleased with how we behaved.

"The action for offside for Erling Haaland the linesman was up so quick. It would be nice to allow to finish the action.

"We gave everything and, of course, congratulate Arsenal, Mikel, the backroom staff and the players.

"Fatigue was a big part today and took a big part of the game."

On his future with the club: "Allow me to talk with my chairman. I have one more year contract. When I finish the season every time we talk about it. I never talk with anyone. First of all, I talk with my chairman and my bosses.

"To talk we need to talk to him. What we have to do next season to you, your colleagues. I have from my experience when the boss or manager is anticipating he is leaving - the players don't follow you any more. You have to lead. Now is the moment to talk to him.

"The competition and all these kinds of things you have to prove again and again and again. So that is honestly a really good season."

Chelsea

Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez speaking to Sky Sports following his side's 2-1 win over Tottenham: "Very happy. I think it's good in front of the fans at home. It's been a long time coming. It's good to finish. We know if we get six points from the next two games - we've got three already - we still got a chance to hopefully qualify. I'm very happy."

On his save from Tel in the first half: "It was a horrible save, I hated it. It hit the post, it hit my hand. I'm very happy. The boys performed. A couple of changes from training, a couple of injuries. The boys performed, they were brilliant. Very happy."

On how his side made it through the game after Spurs pulled one back: "I think they got a bit of luck with the goal. We just needed to keep it the same as the other 60/70 minutes. We did that and they didn't get any other chances.

On the importance of a strong final home game: "There's been a lot of changes, a lot of up and down. It's been difficult for us to try to keep it consistent because of a lot of factors. But the boys, they do the best that they can. We are happy. Looking forward to next season."

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport Chelsea reporter

Chelsea can no longer finish sixth, so Champions League football is no longer a possibility.

That was Chelsea's pre-season target so that is a blow professionally and financially.

The Europa League remains within reach, and Chelsea move up to eighth, which is enough to qualify for the Conference League.

The final day of the Premier League is on Sunday. The title race is over, but there are still plenty of things to be decided.

Champions League qualification - Liverpool or Bournemouth (but if Aston Villa win the Europa League final tomorrow and end fifth then sixth would also get in the Champions League, so Brighton still have a chance).

Other European spots (two places to be decided) - Between Brighton, Chelsea, Brentford and Sunderland.

Relegation - Tottenham or West Ham.

Things that are already confirmed...

Champions - Arsenal

Other Champions League qualification - Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa.

Relegated - Burnley, Wolves.

This is how Bournemouth have celebrated European qualification on social media.

A post on X says: "The next incredible chapter of this football club is written. We’ll be in Europe for the first time in our 127-year history next season. On to Sunday for one final push to find out which competition."

Image source, Bournemouth Football Club

Look what it means to be champions of England again.