Bukayo Saka said Arsenal’s critics «stopped laughing at us» as the club celebrated its first Premier League title in more than two decades.
Gunners players and staff gathered at the club’s training ground in London Colney on Tuesday to watch top challengers Manchester City draw 1-1 with Bournemouth – a result that gave Arsenal an unassailable four-point lead at the top of the table with just Sunday’s final round of matches remaining.
As Arsenal’s side enjoyed the club’s first Premier League title since 2004, there were also joyful scenes at the north London side’s Emirates Stadium, where thousands of supporters gathered to mark the occasion by setting off fireworks and flares.
Arsenal, second in the league for the past three seasons, faced accusations of «bottling» their title bid, with several observers questioning their temperament and ability to handle pressure after a 2-1 defeat at City on April 19.
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But while City then drew against Everton and then Bournemouth, Arsenal won their next four league games without conceding a goal.
Arsenal’s success meant Gunners boss Mikel Arteta joined a select group who have won English titles both as players and as managers.
Arteta, who rejoined Arsenal as manager in December 2019 when the club were in trouble, installed a blacked-out Premier League trophy in Colney, which would only light up when the Gunners won the title.
“Light that,” Saka said in footage posted by defender Jurrien Timber Instagram account.
«Let me tell you something. Twenty-two years, 22 years. There was laughter, there was a joke, they don’t laugh anymore,» the England international added. “Look, it will shine, it will shine bright.”
In one Instagram post, this time on Saka’s channel, Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly was seen holding a champagne bottle.
City manager Pep Guardiola, who had Arteta as an assistant for the Manchester club’s two league titles, paid tribute to his compatriot. | Photo credit: REUTERS
City manager Pep Guardiola, who had Arteta as an assistant for the Manchester club’s two league titles, paid tribute to his compatriot. | Photo credit: REUTERS
“They called us bottlers,” said Lewis-Skelly, who, like Saka, came through the club’s Hale End Academy youth system. «And now we’re holding the bottle.»
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was featured in a celebratory post from his old team.
The Frenchman, who won three Premier League titles with the Gunners including the 2004 ‘Invincibles’, said: «You did it. Champions continue when others stop. This is your time. Now keep going and enjoy every moment.»
City manager Pep Guardiola, who had Arteta as an assistant for the Manchester club’s two league titles, paid tribute to his compatriot.
“On behalf of everyone at Manchester City, we congratulate Mikel and all the staff, players and fans on winning the Premier League,” Guardiola said. Air sports. “They deserve it, for so much hard work and effort.”
Ian Wright, the striker who scored 185 times for Arsenal and was part of the 1998 domestic double-winning side, was mobbed by fans as he celebrated outside the Emirates.
Arsenal will lift the Premier League trophy after the final game of the domestic season at Crystal Palace on Sunday.
The Gunners could yet end the campaign with an impressive double as they look for their first Champions League title against Paris Saint-Germain in the Budapest final on May 30.
Published on May 20, 2026
