Manchester City are Premier League champions again after Arsenal’s miserable run of end of season form continued against Nottingham Forest.
Having led the way for the majority of the campaign, the Gunners have buckled under the weight of pressure and expectancy during the run-in, just as Pep Guardiola’s relentless winning machine clicked into top gear.
Mikel Arteta was forced to ring the changes at the City Ground amid mounting injury problems, and Forest, who were still fighting to preserve their top flight status, easily nulfied an attack missing Gabriel Martinelli.
The home side waited patiently for their chance on the counter and one duly arrived in the 19th minute when Mogan Gibbs-White pounced on a stray pass from Martin Odegaard.
Gibbs-White sprinted, unchallenged, towards the penalty area but looked to have overhit his pass, only for the ball to bounce fortuitously into the net after Gabriel’s slide tackled ricocheted off the boot of Taiwo Awoniyi.
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Arteta waited just over 15 minutes of the second period to see if there would be any improvement but with none forthcoming, Kieran Tierney and Eddie Nketiah were summoned from the bench.
Fabio Vieira was introduced 10 minutes later at the expense of an out of sorts Leandro Trossard but it made little difference with Forest defending effectively in a low block.
Gibbs-White could have doubled the lead but he dragged his shot into the side-netting after Ben White’s slip, while Renan Lodi also fired wide from distance after another speedy counter.
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Forest steeled themselves for a late onslaught but it never materialised as Steve Cooper’s side comfortably held on for the victory which sparked scenes of utter jubilation.
City, meanwhile, can enjoy their coronation tomorrow at the Etihad when they entertain Chelsea having completed the first leg of what would be an historic treble.
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