Saka Says Critics Are Silent as Arsenal Seal Premier League Crown
Mikel Arteta became one of few to win the English title as both player and manager after Arsenal ended their title drought.
Arsenal won the Premier League with a 4-point lead after City’s draw at Bournemouth and now turn to the Champions League final...
Bukayo Saka said Arsenal have silenced their doubters after the club secured a first Premier League title in over 20 years.
“Those critics aren’t laughing at us anymore,” he said as the celebrations began.
Arsenal players and staff gathered at London Colney on Tuesday to watch the title race unfold. Manchester City’s 1-1 draw away to Bournemouth left Arsenal four points clear with only the final matchday left, making the Gunners’ lead unassailable.
Arsenal celebrations and title run-in
As Arsenal celebrated their first Premier League crown since 2004, jubilant scenes also unfolded at the Emirates Stadium. Thousands of supporters gathered outside the ground, setting off fireworks and flares to mark the moment.
Arsenal had finished as runners-up for the three previous seasons and faced claims they were “bottling” another title challenge. Critics questioned the squad’s mentality after a 2-1 loss to City on 19 April.
The narrative shifted quickly after that defeat. While City dropped points with draws at Everton and Bournemouth, Arsenal responded by winning their next four league matches without conceding a goal.
Arteta enters elite company with Arsenal title
Mikel Arteta’s triumph means he now belongs to the small group of people who have won the English title as both a player and a manager.
When Arteta returned to Arsenal as manager in December 2019, the club was struggling. To motivate the squad, he placed a covered Premier League trophy at London Colney that was designed to light up only once Arsenal won the league.
Footage shared by defender Jurrien Timber on Instagram showed Saka saying “Light that up” as the trophy was activated.
“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 a post shared to Saka’s Instagram account, Arsenal teammate Myles Lewis-Skelly appeared holding a bottle of champagne.
“They called us bottlers,” said Lewis-Skelly who, like Saka, came through the club's Hale End Academy youth system. “And now we're holding the bottle.”
Bukayo Saka: “Light that up! Let me tell you something; 22 years, they were laughing, they were joking. They’re NOT laughing anymore. It’s going to be shining! It’s going to be shining bright!” 🏆💡
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) May 19, 2026
TELL EM’, BUKAYO! 🤐❤️ pic.twitter.com/NJxQHLGRmK
Wenger sends message to Arsenal squad
Arsene Wenger appeared in a celebratory post shared by his former club, Arsenal.
The former Arsenal manager, who led the Gunners to three Premier League titles including the 2003-04 Invincibles season, posted his congratulations: “You did it. Champions go on when others stop. This is your time. Now, go on and enjoy every moment.”
Guardiola congratulates former assistant
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola also sent his praise to Arteta. Guardiola had Arteta as his assistant during two of City’s league-winning campaigns.
“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 following their last league game of the season against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
BUKAYOOOOOOO 😍 pic.twitter.com/mDxMRpyOnY
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 19, 2026
The Gunners still have a chance to complete a memorable double. They face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final in Budapest on 30 May as they chase their first title in the competition.
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