Arsenal crowned champions, rock-solid defence and deadly corners define their season | OneFootball

Arsenal have clinched the Premier League after Manchester City drew 1-1 at Bournemouth on Tuesday night, ending a 22-year wait. It is the club’s 14th title and rewards a side that maximised its strengths.

Arsenal spent almost the entire season on top from matchweek 7, then wobbled as City overtook them after a 2-1 defeat in their head-to-head on matchweek 33. L'Équipe notes that the Gunners had long looked untouchable.

The race swung back when City were held 3-3 by Everton on 4 May, and Arsenal kept pace. They then edged Burnley 1-0 on Monday with a goal from a corner, a fitting motif.

Arsenal scored 18 times from corners, a Premier League record.

David Raya, 30, embodied their defensive stability, the Premier League’s best goalkeeper for the third season running. He kept 19 clean sheets, with Arsenal conceding 26, and faced relatively little, making 55 saves.

Mikel Arteta, 44, appointed in 2019, has finally taken Arsenal back to the summit after three straight second-place finishes, twice behind City and once behind Liverpool. His rigorous approach, the league’s best defence for the third season running, and set-piece efficiency have been hallmarks.

That formula has travelled to Europe, with Arsenal due to face PSG in the Champions League final on 30 May. Despite frequent narrow wins, they still had the league’s second-best attack with 69 goals, behind City’s 75.

Source: L'Équipe