Trending 
Bukayo Saka said Arsenal’s critics were “not laughing at us anymore” as the club celebrated its first Premier League title in more than two decades.
Arsenal players and coaching staff gathered at the club’s London Colney training ground on Tuesday to watch Manchester City draw 1-1 away to Bournemouth, a result that handed the Gunners an unassailable four-point lead at the top of the table with only Sunday’s final round of fixtures remaining.
As the squad celebrated Arsenal’s first Premier League triumph since 2004, thousands of supporters also gathered outside the Emirates Stadium in north London, setting off fireworks and flares to mark the occasion.
Arsenal, who finished runners-up in the previous three league campaigns, had faced accusations of “bottling” the title race, especially after a 2-1 defeat to Manchester City on April 19 raised questions about the team’s mentality and ability to cope with pressure.
However, while City later dropped points against Everton and Bournemouth, Arsenal responded by winning their next four league matches without conceding a goal.
The title success also saw Mikel Arteta join a select group of individuals who have won the English top-flight title both as a player and as a manager.
Arteta, who returned to Arsenal as manager in December 2019 when the club was struggling, had installed a blacked-out Premier League trophy at London Colney that would only light up once Arsenal secured the title.
“Light that up,” Saka said in footage shared by defender Jurrien Timber on Instagram.
“Let me tell you something. Twenty-two years, 22 years. There was laughing, there was joking, they’re not laughing anymore,” the England international added. “Look, it is going to be shining, it is going to be shining bright.”
In another Instagram post shared by Saka, Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly was seen holding a champagne bottle.
“They called us bottlers,” Lewis-Skelly said. “And now we’re holding the bottle.”
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger also featured in a celebratory message shared by the club.
“You did it. Champions go on when others stop. This is your time. Now, go on and enjoy every moment,” Wenger said.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, who previously worked with Arteta during his time as assistant coach at City, congratulated Arsenal on the achievement.
“On behalf of everyone at Manchester City, we congratulate Mikel and all the staff, players and fans on winning the Premier League,” Guardiola told Sky Sports. “They deserve it, for so much hard work and effort.”
Arsenal will receive the Premier League trophy after their final league match against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
The Gunners could still complete a memorable double when they face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final in Budapest on May 30.
