Arsenal completed their long crusade back to the summit of English football on Saturday, lifting the Premier League trophy for the first time in 22 years. The Gunners—once perennial nearly-men—clinched the title with a 2-0 victory over Brighton, ending a drought that stretched back to the Tony Blair years.

Mikel Arteta’s side finished level on points with Manchester City but claimed the crown on goal difference, a testament to their unrelenting defensive structure. David Raya, Gabriel, and William Saliba formed a backline so solid it conceded just 24 goals all season—fewer than all but two teams. Declan Rice, signed for £105m last summer, dominated midfield with 239 tackles and 12 clearances, earning him the Player of the Year award.

Manchester City, who spent £450m last summer in a failed title defence, finished second after 20 draws—six more than Arsenal. Pep Guardiola, who departs to prepare for his sabbatical, leaves a club transformed but haunted by missed opportunities. “This was a team that could have been great,” Guardiola said. “But greatness is measured in trophies, and this year, we fell short.”

Manchester United secured a Champions League spot under interim boss Michael Carrick, capping a remarkable recovery after a disastrous start under Ruben Amorim. Bruno Fernandes, the club’s talisman, inspired a late surge with 19 goals and 12 assists, while goalkeeper Senne Lammens—signed for £35m—made 14 clean sheets. Carrick’s man-management and tactical clarity erased the chaos of the previous campaign.

Aston Villa finished fourth, their best league finish in 30 years, under the meticulous guidance of Unai Emery. The Spaniard’s relentless work ethic and man-management turned Villa into a cohesive, pressing machine. Morgan Rogers, the teenage midfielder, became the focal point of a team now competing at Europe’s highest level. Emery’s fifth Europa League win with a club further solidified his status as one of the game’s most astute coaches.

Liverpool’s season collapsed into turmoil after spending £450m to strengthen a squad already struggling under Arne Slot. Mohamed Salah’s form plummeted, fan protests erupted, and the club finished fifth—17 points off the pace. The death of forward Diogo Jota in July cast a dark shadow over the campaign, compounding the sense of crisis. “We expected more from ourselves,” Slot admitted. “But we will regroup.”

Bournemouth and Sunderland defied all expectations. Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth reached the Champions League for the first time in their 127-year history, finishing sixth with a style reminiscent of Pep Guardiola’s early Barcelona. Antoine Semenyo’s January departure to Manchester City did little to disrupt their rhythm, as Alex Scott and Junior Kroupi emerged as breakout stars.

Sunderland, tipped for relegation by most pundits, stunned the league by finishing seventh and qualifying for Europe. Regis Le Bris, the club’s French manager, orchestrated an unlikely rise with a squad assembled on a shoestring budget. Their summer signings—including £12m striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang—paid dividends as the Black Cats defied the odds.

The Premier League’s summer storylines are already taking shape. Arsenal face the Champions League final in Paris, a chance to cement their legacy. Manchester City begin life under a new manager. Liverpool confront a summer of reckoning. And Sunderland? They’re just getting started.