What Pep Guardiola Said After Arsenal Won Premier League Title
- Pep Guardiola has finally reacted after Manchester City surrendered the Premier League title to Arsenal following a dramatic end to the season
- City dropped decisive points against Bournemouth, a result that allowed the Gunners to clinch the crown with one fixture still remaining
- The setback also marks the first time in Guardiola’s managerial career that he has gone two straight seasons without winning a league title
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has spoken for the first time after Arsenal officially won the 2025/26 Premier League title.
City needed a victory against AFC Bournemouth on Tuesday, May 19, to keep the title race alive heading into the final weekend of the season.
Instead, a frustrating 1-1 draw at the Vitality Stadium confirmed Arsenal as champions for the first time in 22 years.
Source: Getty Images
Arsenal crowned champions after Man City's draw
Eli Junior Kroupi surprised Guardiola’s side with a brilliant first-half strike before Erling Haaland rescued a late equaliser. But the goal ultimately changed nothing.
The result left City four points behind Arsenal with only one match remaining, ending their hopes of reclaiming the crown.
After the final whistle, Guardiola reflected on a turbulent campaign filled with injuries and difficult moments while admitting his side had learnt valuable lessons along the way.
"Since January, we have played really well. There were many injuries and situations beyond our control. We learned a lot this season. We understood that to win, you need to accumulate a lot of points and create dominance."
Despite surrendering the title, the Spaniard praised the mentality shown by his players throughout the season.
"We went through many difficult moments and never gave up once. That is why we are here now," he added.
Source: Getty Images
Pep Guardiola congratulates Arteta and Arsenal
Guardiola also took time to applaud Arsenal and his former assistant Mikel Arteta for delivering a title-winning campaign.
"I congratulate Arsenal on the title. They showed performances truly worthy of a champion. Arteta deserves this," said the Spanish manager.
Arteta, once Guardiola’s trusted assistant at Manchester City, has now guided Arsenal back to the summit of English football for the first time since Arsène Wenger’s famous “Invincibles” side lifted the trophy in 2004.
For much of the campaign, the North London club set the pace.
Although City managed to erase a nine-point gap at one stage and briefly climbed level on points after defeating Arsenal in April, momentum swung again following their dramatic 3-3 draw against Everton.
That stumble reopened the door for the Gunners, who responded with composure and consistency during the closing weeks of the season.
Missing out on the league means Guardiola has now failed to win the domestic title in consecutive seasons for the first time in his managerial career after Liverpool edged both City and Arsenal last year.
Even so, the campaign has still produced silverware.
Man City defeated Arsenal to win the Carabao Cup in March before Antoine Semenyo’s memorable winner against Chelsea secured FA Cup glory earlier this month.
Uncertainty still surrounds Guardiola’s long-term future at the Etihad Stadium amid reports linking him with a possible departure, although the club have yet to confirm any decision.
Enzo Maresca to replace Guardiola at City?
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Manchester City had already begun exploring managerial options amid uncertainty surrounding Pep Guardiola’s future.
The Premier League giants are believed to have reached an agreement in principle with former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca as a potential successor.
Source: YEN.com.gh
