FRANCE PERSPECTIVE

Paris, May 19, 2026. Arsenal won its 14th Premier League title after Manchester City's draw with Bournemouth (1-1) in the 37th round, ending 22 years of waiting. The day before, the Gunners had beaten Burnley 1-0 thanks to Kai Havertz, placing them five points ahead of City and forcing the Citizens to win to maintain the suspense. City faltered: Eli Junior Kroupi opened the score with a curled shot in the top corner at the 39th minute, setting a historic record of 13 goals for a teenager in their first season in the Premier League. Erling Haaland equalized in the final minutes of the match, too late to save Manchester City's hopes.

French press treats the event with particular attention focused on the Hexagon actors of the coronation. Le Monde recalls that Arsène Wenger had led these same Gunners to the title in 2004, the season of the 'Invincibles' — an unbeaten campaign that remains in the annals. Thierry Henry, a tutelary figure of that era, expressed his intention to baptize Arteta's team the 'Unforgettable' only if Arsenal also wins the Champions League on May 30 in Budapest against PSG. France 24 highlights that William Saliba, a central defender formed in France, has been the cornerstone of a defense that has conceded only 26 goals in 37 matches — the best defensive solidity of the season in the Premier League.

Another French figure in the spotlight: Nicolas Jover, assistant coach in charge of set pieces, under whose direction Arsenal scored 24 goals from set pieces, including 18 from corners in 37 matches — two absolute records in the Premier League. France 24 details this statistic as a determining factor in the title, revealing a methodical approach carried by a French technician.

The chaotic trajectory of the end of the season does not escape the commentators. Arsenal had counted up to nine points ahead, ceded the top spot to City in April after a 2-1 loss in the direct clash, before regaining the lead thanks to four consecutive wins without conceding a goal. Manchester City, who had just won the FA Cup against Chelsea the previous Saturday — their 20th trophy under Guardiola — has definitively cracked, particularly after a 3-3 draw against Everton that had put the Gunners back in the driver's seat.

Pep Guardiola, whose departure from Manchester City at the end of the season is announced by all media after 10 years on the bench, leaves the Premier League without having won the title in his last two seasons — a first in his coaching career.