MANCHESTER, England — A season of stunning football was wrapped up in style as Manchester City clinched their fifth Premier League title in six years on Saturday, May 20, 2023, all while Arsenal’s title aspirations wilted and Nottingham Forest secured their Premier League status for another year.
Arsenal, standing in second place, suffered a 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest, leaving Mikel Arteta’s squad four points behind the newly crowned champions with just one game left to play.
The loss was a second consecutive for the Gunners, sealing their fate and gifting City the championship with three games in hand.
“Watching the team triumph is an emotional roller coaster,” said City’s manager, Pep Guardiola.
“This is a result of determination and a collective drive. But we’re not done yet. We’re hungry for the treble.”
Indeed, Manchester City’s title triumph could be just the beginning of a spectacular treble.
Guardiola’s men will take on Manchester United in the FA Cup final and Italian giants Inter Milan in the Champions League final next month.
A once promising season for Arsenal, who pushed the defending champions most of the way, has crumbled in the decisive final months.
They have secured victory in just two of their last eight games, allowing City to canter over the finish line.
Meanwhile, Taiwo Awoniyi’s winning goal for Forest did not only leave Arsenal reeling but also had significant implications at the other end of the table.
Nottingham Forest, enjoying their first season back in top flight football after a 23-year absence, are now safe from relegation.
“The lads did their job, and it feels fantastic,” commented Forest manager. “We proved we belong here, and we’re planning to stay.”
Morgan Gibbs-White, England’s under-21 international, was instrumental to Forest’s revival this season, after a disappointing start where they managed just one win in their first 11 league games.
Gibbs-White masterfully set up Awoniyi to notch his fifth goal in three games over Aaron Ramsdale, cementing Forest’s Premier League survival.
As Forest celebrated their survival, Arsenal seemed to wilt under the pressure. The Gunners were a shadow of the vibrant, youthful side that shone in the early months of the season.
Their second youngest squad in the Premier League seemed to have run out of steam just as City was hitting top speed.
Forest now sits six points clear of the drop zone. With their survival secured, the fight against relegation turns to Everton, Leeds, and Leicester, two of whom will join Southampton in the Championship next season.
This English Premier League season has indeed proved to be one of dramatic twists and memorable moments.
