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Arsenal win Premier League title after Man City stumble at Bournemouth

LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - MAY 19: The Arsenal players celebrate winning the Premier League after watching AFC Bournemouth v Manchester City at Sobha Realty Training Centre on May 19, 2026 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC vi
The Arsenal players celebrate winning the Premier League after watching Bournemouth v Manchester City at their training centre

Arsenal are Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years after Manchester City drew 1-1 at Bournemouth.

Amid reports manager Pep Guardiola will step down at the end of the season, City needed to win at Vitality Stadium to take the title race to the final day.

However, a goal from Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi six minutes before half-time left Guardiola's side on the back foot.

Erling Haaland scored an equaliser in the fifth minute of injury-time to give Man City late hope but they were unable to find the winning goal that would have prolonged the title race until the final day.

Bournemouth’s historic achievement was a fitting way to mark the final home game of head coach Andoni Iraola, who was given a rousing send-off at full-time ahead of being replaced by Marco Rose in the summer.

Following a remarkable 17th league game without loss, the Cherries are guaranteed a top-seven finish and remain in contention for Champions League football ahead of Sunday’s season finale at Nottingham Forest.

Pep Guardiola Manager / Head Coach of Manchester City reacts during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Manchester City at Vitality Stadium on May 19, 2026 in Bournemouth, England.
Pep Guardiola could only watch on as Man City ceded the title battle at Bournemouth

City are now an insurmountable four points adrift of the table-topping Gunners, with speculation Guardiola is set to end his contract a year early and be succeeded by Enzo Maresca after the weekend visit of Aston Villa.

The 10-time English champions arrived on the south coast three days after lifting the FA Cup but with news of Guardiola's possible departure dominating the headlines.

Travelling fans chanted "one more year, one more year, Guardiola" at regular intervals, while one fan unfurled a bedsheet with 'Pep Stay’ written on it.

Ahead of kick-off, Bournemouth’s stadium announcer made reference to neighbours Southampton being kicked out of the Championship play-offs for spying as he attempted to whip up the home crowd.

Former Cherries winger Antonie Semenyo had a 12th-minute finish disallowed for offside before Evanilson missed a golden chance at the other end, albeit the flag was again subsequently raised.

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - MAY 19: Eli Junior Kroupi of Bournemouth celebrates after he scores a goal to make it 1-0- during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Manchester City at Vitality Stadium on May 19, 2026 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemou
Eli Junior Kroupi acrobatically celebrates the opening goal

Kroupi raised the roof with a stunning 39th-minute opener.

After being released by Marcus Tavernier, Adrien Truffert cut the ball back from the left and 19-year-old forward Kroupi curled a stunning finish into the right corner before celebrating becoming the outright highest scoring teenager in a debut Premier League season, with a somersault.

City almost levelled within a minute of the restart when Cherries goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic made a vital save to deny Nico O’Reilly.

Evanilson then tested visiting keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma before Guardiola attempted to spark a comeback by introducing Phil Foden, Savinho and Rayan Cherki in an attacking triple change.

Antoine Semenyo of Manchester City runs with the ball while under pressure from Marcus Tavernier of AFC Bournemouth during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Manchester City at Vitality Stadium on May 19, 2026 in Bournemouth, England.
No joy for Antoine Semenyo and Manchester City at the home of his former club

Bournemouth teenager Rayan, who was named in Brazil's World Cup squad on Monday, struck the outside of the left post following a corner as the contest remained in the balance going into the final quarter.

Iraola had spoken openly of his desire to secure European football as a parting gift before departing the English south coast.

His side defended resolutely to make the dream a reality, while substitute David Brooks squandered two golden late chances to put the result beyond doubt, including striking the right post.

Those misses were punished in the fifth minute of added time when Haaland swept home via the right post after Rodri struck the left upright during a goalmouth scramble.

But City’s hopes of a seventh title in 10 seasons under Guardiola were ultimately extinguished on a landmark evening for the hosts – and Arsenal.

Additional reporting: PA


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