Pep Guardiola’s team have continued their era of domestic dominance as part one of a potential treble has been ticked off, after Arsenal were beaten by Nottingham Forest on Saturday night
One down, two to go. Treble-chasing Manchester City are Premier League champions for the fifth time in six seasons after Pep Guardiola’s crossed the finish line with no need for a sprint finish.
According to Mirror, City clinched the title after Arsenal suffered a humiliating defeat to Nottingham Forest – who have now secured Premier League football next season – on Saturday night. Mikel Arteta’s side now trail their rivals by four points with just one game to play; making it impossible for them to catch Guardiola’s side.
Hopes of a down-to-the-wire title race faded weeks ago, once City demolished nearest rivals Arsenal at home, because while many rivals have wilted late in the most exhausting of seasons, Guardiola’s team have risen through the gears and become an unstoppable force, while Arsenal have collapsed.
Since defeat away to Tottenham in early February, City have annihilated almost everyone that has stood in their way.
Much of the credit will go to goal machine Erling Haaland, who is set for a clean sweep of the individual awards and – should two more trophies arrive in the next three weeks – surely be the overwhelming favourite to pick up his first Ballon d’Or.
Yet he has been assisted by players at the very peak of their powers, coached in a system that has made obliterating top sides appear routine. And, irrespective of your view on the rights and wrongs, funded by a state with an unlimited budget.
To praise the football and scrutinise the financial realities that brought the club to this point are not binary choices.
First, though, the football. Beyond Haaland’s magnificience, Rodri has been exceptional in holding midfield.
Kevin De Bruyne the creator-in-chief has found another level since the start of spring. Jack Grealish, who this time last year was being described as underwhelming, has improved to such an extent that the record £100m paid to Aston Villa no longer appears that exorbitantly expensive as he restricts Phil Foden to minutes off the bench.
John Stones has excelled in his Philipp Lahm role of being an inverted full back, in front of a defence where Ruben Dias has been dominant again.
