premier league
On the way to the treble: Man City champions again
After the league title, City coach Pep Guardiola still has a chance to win the FA Cup and the Champions League photo
© Alastair Grant/AP/dpa
Man City wins the championship for the third time in a row. Pep Guardiola’s team celebrate the title earlier than expected thanks to an Arsenal blunder. Two more trophies are possible.
The triple hunters from Manchester City started their next championship party in front of the television. After the decisive mistake by pursuers Arsenal, the city professionals smashed the classic “We are the Champions”, successful coach Pep Guardiola hugged defense chief John Stones and showed the number of their five joint Premier League titles with a show of hands.
“It was a season that I will never forget,” enthused team captain Ilkay Gündogan. Two more trophies can follow in the finals of the Champions League and FA Cup.
Disappointment prevailed at Arsenal, however, after the Gunners led the league until the end of April. “It’s a really sad day for us,” said a visibly frustrated Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. The 0: 1 at promoted Nottingham Forest robbed the Londoners of the last calculated chance to intercept City.
Gundogan proud of the title
At the Etihad Stadium, everything was already set for the third championship celebration in a row in the home game against Chelsea. Nobody doubted it anymore. Now the title defense for the star ensemble around striker Erling Haaland was even perfect the night before. “The Premier League is undoubtedly the most demanding and toughest league in the world,” said Gündogan, who could leave the club in the summer. “And that says everything about what an achievement that is.”
For a long time it had looked as if Arsenal could become champions for the first time since 2004. “We fought for ten and a half months and worked hard every day to achieve our common dream,” said Arteta, who was Pep Guardiola’s assistant coach at Manchester until 2019. “We generated hope and excitement, a belief that we could go through with it and win, but we missed it.”
Arsenal have shown nerves in recent weeks, claiming just two wins from eight league games. In Nottingham, the young team looked as if they had already given up their belief despite the minimal remaining chance. A goal by former Unioners Taiwo Awoniyi (19th minute) finally ended the dream of the title. A small consolation: Arsenal will be back in the Champions League next season after a seven-year absence.
No ecstasy in Manchester for now
In Manchester, the fifth Premier League triumph in six years initially triggered only restrained euphoria. At the Etihad Stadium, where a huge “Premier League Champions” banner had been unfurled, fewer than in previous years City fans came on Saturday night to celebrate with club flags and blue powder cannons. Perhaps because the championship – at least that’s the hope – is only the prelude to the treble that the Cityzens can win as the first English team after Manchester United.
Guardiola’s team are still two wins short: On June 3, Man City will play the cup final against United at London’s Wembley Stadium, and on June 10 in Istanbul the final of the premier class against Inter Milan. Should Manchester City also win the handle pot and thus a European trophy for the first time, the season for Gündogan and Co. would be truly unforgettable.