Arsene Wenger’s perfect 20-word message to Arsenal after winning the league | Football | Sport

Arsene Wenger has urged Arsenal‘s squad to savour every second after they secured the Premier League title for the first time since 2004. The Gunners were officially declared champions following Manchester City’s 1-1 stalemate with Bournemouth. City required victory at Vitality Stadium to extend the title race to the final day, but they were unable to find a decisive goal after Erling Haaland levelled in stoppage time.

Mikel Arteta‘s team have commanded the division throughout most of the campaign and will hoist the prestigious trophy after Sunday’s fixture against Crystal Palace. In a statement shared on the club’s social media platforms, Wenger said: “You did it. Champions go on, when others stop. This is your time. Now, go on and enjoy every moment.”

Responding to Arsenal‘s success, former Gunners forward Alan Smith said on Sky Sports: “Brilliant! Fully deserved. They have had the best defence, they haven’t had the best attack, but as an overall unit Mikel Arteta has done incredibly well. I was very worried about the last-day game at Palace… so pleased!”

He continued: “You have to have nervy moments when you haven’t won it for that long and Arsenal did have them. But hopefully now they can play with freedom. It almost feels that the Champions League final is a free hit now.”

Declan Rice took to Instagram to post a picture alongside his team-mates, captioning it: “I told you all.. it’s done.” Arteta’s side will officially receive the trophy on Sunday following their final league fixture of the season away at Crystal Palace.

The Gunners could yet complete a historic double as they pursue their first Champions League title in the final against Paris St Germain later this month.

The league triumph brings to an end a six-year trophy drought and represents Arteta’s second major honour at the helm, following the 2020 FA Cup victory.