Arsenal clinch 1st EPL title in 22 years after Man City's draw

Arsenal are champions of England once more.

The Gunners clinched their first Premier League title in 22 years without stepping on the pitch Tuesday, as nearest rivals Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw by Bournemouth.

Mikel Arteta's men now have an insurmountable four-point lead over Pep Guardiola's side ahead of Sunday, the final day of the season.

Manchester City went into Tuesday's contest at the Vitality Stadium knowing that only a win was enough to keep the pressure on Arsenal, who put one hand on the trophy Monday by beating Burnley.

But a sumptuous goal from Eli Junior Kroupi, who also found the net during Bournemouth's victory over Arsenal in April, put Man City in trouble in the first half; the French teenager curled a gorgeous strike into the corner in the 38th minute. Erling Haaland's stoppage-time equalizer wasn't enough for City despite a late flurry, with the final whistle officially putting an end to an engrossing race with one match remaining in the season.

Kroupi's goal was celebrated both by Bournemouth fans dreaming of an unlikely Champions League berth and Arsenal supporters hoping to see their club win the Premier League for the first time since the iconic 2004 "Invincibles" squad.

After some wobbles in recent months allowed Man City to get back into the title mix, Arsenal did just enough down the stretch to give those supporters the triumph they so desperately craved. Leaders for most of the season, Arsenal recovered following a defeat to City in April, winning four consecutive matches without conceding a goal; three of those came via 1-0 scorelines.

The Gunners have now claimed 14 English top-flight titles, trailing only Liverpool and Manchester United, who have 20 apiece.

After narrowly finishing second and coming up short of the Premier League crown each of the last three seasons, Arteta finally got his team over the hump and in the process delivered Arsenal's first major piece of silverware since the 2019-20 FA Cup.

There could yet be even more to celebrate.

Arteta's newly minted champions will try to complete a historic double when they take on Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final May 30.

Manchester City, meanwhile, will be forced to settle for a domestic double of cup triumphs after taking home the League Cup and FA Cup this season.

Guardiola will reportedly leave the club this summer following a trophy-laden decade, and he'll do so after going consecutive seasons without winning a league title for the first time in his decorated managerial career.