Manchester City have won the Premier League title for the third season in a row after Arsenal were defeated 1-0 by Nottingham Forest on Saturday evening.
It is the fifth time in the past six seasons that City have secured top spot under Pep Guardiola and is the first trophy of a potential treble, with the FA Cup final against Manchester United and the Champions League final against Internazionale to come next month.
“To have helped the club win a third straight Premier League title is something very special,” said the City captain, Ilkay Gundogan. “The Premier League is without doubt the most demanding and competitive league in the world so that tells you everything about what an achievement this is. This squad is so talented and so special and to have been captain this season has been an enormous privilege.
“To have won this trophy three times in a row and five times in six years is incredible. That quality and consistency helps sum up what Manchester City stand for and ensures the club will continue to strive for success going forward. It has been a season I will never forget. Our amazing fans have been with us every single step of the way. Without their amazing backing I don’t think there is any way we would have been able to achieve what we have done these past six seasons. Their passion and support have been so important and inspirational for us all.”
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In mid-January Arsenal had an eight-point lead over City but Guardiola’s side have overhauled them with three games to spare. City have won their past 11 matches in the league while the Gunners have collected maximum points in just two of their past eight games. City have been ruthless since mid-February, a period which includes sweeping aside Arsenal home and away to increase the pressure on Mikel Arteta’s side.
Erling Haaland’s 36 goals in the league have been crucial to City’s success. The Football Writers’ Association player of the season’s tally is a Premier League record, the Norwegian scoring more than a third of City’s 92 league goals in 35 matches. City have currently scored the most goals in the league and conceded the fewest, a sign of their dominance.
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Guardiola said on Friday that the Premier League is the “most important” to win because it takes a whole season of hard work. The Catalan’s fifth English title as a manager puts him joint third with Sir Matt Busby and Tom Watson for league triumphs; only Sir Alex Ferguson, Bob Paisley and George Ramsey have won more.
City have three matches remaining, starting with Chelsea’s visit to the Etihad on Sunday, before trips to Brighton and Brentford next week. The former City goalkeeper Alex Williams, who retires after 33 years working for the club, will hand the trophy to Gündogan after the match with Chelsea.