The Etihad Stadium pitch was invaded by fans after Manchester City clinched a record fourth-straight Premier League title.
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They beat West Ham 3-1 in the final game of the season, and have now won six of the last seven titles.
Arsenal needed to win and for City to lose to be a chance at snatching the title. It did its part, beating Everton 2-1, but had to settle for being the bridesmaid for the second season in succession.
“This one has been incredible. We get the message, we know (Arsenal) will be there for many years,” Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said after the match.
“They have a young manager with big talent – they sent us a message that you have to be careful for the next few years.
“When I moved here, if someone had said I would win six leagues in seven seasons I would say you’re insane – no way.
“All these players for Manchester United and Liverpool and Chelsea, all these teams. Now is our period, we are part of that.”
Two goals from Phil Foden inside the first 20 minutes set Guardiola’s team on course for its latest title. Mohammed Kudus pulled a goal back for West Ham with a stunning overhead kick just before the break, but Rodri restored City’s advantage on the hour mark.
Arsenal’s 20-year wait for a Premier League title goes on, despite its best season since that 2003-04 title year when the “Invincibles” went unbeaten.
Arsenal finished on 89 points — its second-highest total ever in the Premier League, but two behind City.
“We have tried with everything that we had,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said. “You can sense how much we wanted it, we really tried. It wasn’t enough unfortunately.”
Last year, the Gunners topped the standings for much of the season before a late collapse saw them finish five points behind City.
This year Arsenal took the title fight to the last day, and set a club record for most wins (28) and goals scored (91) along the way.
Arteta is under no illusion about what it will take to finally take the last step next season.
“We’ve beat every record this club ever had apart from winning it,” he said.
“This is the most competitive league ever in history and we have to be better. Now we need to find ways we have to improve.
“We need to go to a different level. We need to deliver.”
