Man City Fail to Beat Bournemouth, Guardiola: Congratulations to Arsenal!

JAKARTA - Manchester City failed to delay Arsenal's championship party after failing to beat Bournemouth and only managed to draw 1-1 in a duel in the English Premier League at the Vitality Stadium, Wednesday, May 20, 2026 WIB early morning. The result makes Arsenal end the English League title fast for 22 years. Man City manager Pep Guardiola also congratulated Arsenal.

Man City is still trying to slow down Arsenal's pace and make the league title in the final match. However, the hope that Man City did not succeed seemed to lose power and fighting spirit to win the match because it would be abandoned by Guardiola after the end of the competition.

In that match, Man City conceded a goal through Eli Junior Kroupi in the 39th minute. After that goal, Man City had difficulty breaking through Bournemouth's defense. They could only equalize the score when entering injury time. Erling Haaland's goal in the 90+5 minute changed the score to 1-1 which lasted until the end of the match.

The result makes Man City have 78 points. Four points behind Arsenal who are perched at the top of the standings. With one more match left, Man City can't catch up with the Gunners' points. As soon as Man City failed to conquer Bournemouth, the Arsenal players and their fans immediately celebrated the championship party.

Mikel Arteta's team ended the league title drought after winning it for the last time in 2004. At that time, Arsenal was handled by Arsene Wenger and confirmed as The Invincibles because they were unbeaten when they became Premier League champions.

"Congratulations to Arsenal, Mikel, the staff, all the players and fans for winning the Premier League," Guardiola said as quoted by france24. "You deserve it."

Guardiola himself, this season, led Man City to a double title. They won the English League Cup or Carabao Cup by defeating Arsenal and the FA Cup after winning 1-0 over Chelsea. This success made Guardiola win 20 trophies during his 10 years of directing Man City.

He led the Cityzens to the pinnacle of glory because for the first time they won the Champions League. Not only that, Man City also ushered in a treble and matched the achievements of its rival in the city, Manchester United. Under Guardiola, Man City became the only team to win the Premier League four times in a row.

Guardiola is also the longest to handle Man City compared to when he coached Barcelona and Bayern Munich before finally announcing his departure from the Etihad despite his contract still being one year. The match against Aston Villa at the Etihad was Guardiola's farewell to Man City.

"The club's leadership is the first person I will talk to," Guardiola said when setting his future by leaving Man City. "We will decide after the competition is over. We will sit down and discuss. It's simple and we will make a decision," he said.

Only fans do hope Guardiola finishes the contract or stays one more year. "One more year, Guardiola!" shouted the fans in the match against Bournemouth.

Meanwhile, Arsenal players gathered at the Tim training center to watch the Bournemouth match against Man City. They also immediately partied as soon as Man City drew against the hosts.

Not only the players, the fans gathered at the Emirates Stadium to celebrate the long-awaited party of champions. Fans lit red flares and sang, "Campeones." They also chanted the name 'Arteta' many times.

Not to forget, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer gave his congratulations. Moreover, Starmer turned out to be a big fan of the North London club.

"22 years for Arsenal," the Prime Minister wrote on X. "Finally we are back in the position that belongs to us. Champions!"

Wenger also congratulated Declan Rice et al. "You finally did it! The winner keeps going when others stop. It's your time. Enjoy the moment," Wenger said in a video uploaded on the club's website.

Arsenal will receive the Premier League trophy in the final league match against Crystal Palace in the London Derby at Selhurst. They will hold a championship parade on May 31, 2026 or the day after the Champions League final.

After ending the English League trophy fast, Arsenal still has the ambition to win the Champions League for the first time in the club's history as well as winning the double. Arsenal is the only Premier League top club that has never lifted the treble trophy. The team reached the final 20 years ago but lost to Barca.

In this final, Arsenal will face defending champions Paris Saint-Germain. If they become champions, Arsenal will equal the achievements of Man Utd and Man City who won the Premier League and Champions League in one season.