GENEVA (AP) — Arsenal's 22-year wait for another Premier League title finally ended late Tuesday when Manchester City drew a must-win game at Bournemouth, allowing the Gunners to clinch the crown in dramatic fashion.
Historic Season Across Europe
It was a season unlike any other in modern European soccer, with first-time champions emerging alongside teams ending decades-long title droughts. The celebrations sparked euphoric reactions from fans who barely believed their success would ever happen again.
In Denmark, AGF from Aarhus claimed their first title in 40 years. In Austria, LASK from Linz ended a 61-year wait. First-time champions included 128-year-old Thun in Switzerland and 87-year-old Mjällby in Sweden.
Scandinavia Sets the Trend
The phenomenon began with Mjällby, a Cinderella team that played in the third tier just nine years earlier. Weeks later, Viking secured its first Norwegian title in 34 years, marking a revival for a past champion from decline.
Viking defeated Bodø/Glimt, the Arctic Circle team that wrote Champions League lore this year by beating Manchester City, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan. Denmark completed a hat-trick when AGF was guided to success by coach Jakob Poulsen.
Dominant Clubs Dethroned
Three of Europe's most dominant clubs lost their crowns this season. Ludogorets had won 14 straight titles in Bulgaria before Levski Sofia claimed the championship—their first in 17 years. Qarabag won 11 of the past 12 titles in Azerbaijan before Sabah claimed their maiden title.
In Hungary, Ferencvaros' seven-year reign ended as Győri ETO won by one point.Ferencvaros, coached by Ireland great Robbie Keane, finished runner-up. In Romania, Universitatea Craiova won its first title since 1991.
Near-Miss Stories
Two romantic stories nearly had Hollywood endings. Lens chased Paris Saint-Germain all the way into May in pursuit of their first title since 1998, while Heart of Midlothian led the Scottish Premiership from September until the 87th minute of a final-day showdown at Celtic.
The Edinburgh club, one of European soccer's great underdogs, suffered its third last-day heartbreak since last winning the title in 1960.