Manchester City were confirmed as Premier League champions for the fifth time in six seasons on Saturday without even having to kick a ball after second-placed Arsenal’s challenge ended in defeat away at Nottingham Forest.
Arsenal, who enjoyed an eight-point lead over City as recently as mid-March, needed at least a point to stay mathematically in the hunt, but went down 1-0.
Premier League’s tweet on May 21 about the Premier League’s title this season awarded to Manchester City. /@premierleague
Premier League’s tweet on May 21 about the Premier League’s title this season awarded to Manchester City. /@premierleague
City, who host Chelsea on Sunday, have 85 points with three games to play, while Arsenal are on 81 with one game left.
It is City’s seventh Premier League title since they were bought by Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan in 2008 and they are now just two wins away from completing a treble only previously achieved by Manchester United in 1999.
City will face Manchester United in the FA Cup final on June 3 and a week later take on Inter Milan in the Champions League final.
Erling Haaland has netted a single-season-record 36 goals in the League and been crowned men’s FWA Footballer of the Year.
Manchester City supporters celebrate their side winning the Premier League title with a cardboard cutout of Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, wearing a Viking-themed helmet featuring the name of Erling Haaland following Arsenal’s 1-0 loss away at Nottingham Forest, at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, May 20, 2023. /CFP
Manchester City supporters celebrate their side winning the Premier League title with a cardboard cutout of Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, wearing a Viking-themed helmet featuring the name of Erling Haaland following Arsenal’s 1-0 loss away at Nottingham Forest, at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, May 20, 2023. /CFP
“The Premier League is without doubt the most demanding and competitive league in the world so that tells you everything about what an achievement this is,” club captain Ilkay Gundogan said.
“This squad is so talented and so special and to have been captain this season has been an enormous privilege,” he said.
“To have won this trophy three times in a row and five times in six years is incredible. That quality and consistency helps sum up what Manchester City stand for and ensures the club will continue to strive for success going forward.”
(With input from Reuters)