Manchester City clinch their third consecutive Premier League title
By Adam Marrett
Manchester City- Premier League Winners for the season 2022/23. A season like no other, with a World Cup in the middle of it, has ended the same as the past two seasons- Manchester City Premier League Champions. The rare three-peat of Premier League titles clinched, securing Pep Guardiola’s remarkable Manchester City squad’s place in history.
A remarkable achievement and the title clinched with 3 games to spare in the season. It also makes it 5 Premier League titles in 6 years, a reign of domination that’s a testament to Pep Guardiola’s greatness and this squad’s relentless determination and will to win. It also emphasises this squad of players’ greatness and drives to maintain success.
Manchester City’s third successive title was clinched after Arsenal went down 1 nil to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground in Saturday’s late kick-off. A result that sealed Arsenal’s fate for this season and showed that Mikel Arteta’s men had finally run out of puff trying to keep pace with this rampant Manchester City outfit, and caps off a dismal run of form for Arsenal at the pointy end of the season.
This Premier League title was clinched off the back of 11 consecutive wins in the Premier League (that also runs with a 23-match unbeaten run in all competitions), a winning run in the Premier League starting with a 4-1 win away at Bournemouth. From that result Manchester City clicked into gear and the tactical shifts Guardiola had implemented earlier in the season had gelled and this squad kicked into gear.
For periods before this current streak beginning it looked like City wouldn’t gel in time to make a run at Arsenal at the time. But this squad is made of something different, and their winning mentality and experience rose to the fore. Also at the start of April MCFC sat 8 points behind Arsenal, and from there the relentless nature of this Manchester City kicked into gear and finally ground Arsenal’s title pursuit into the ground.
It’s been a remarkable run of football since the start of February of the highest order it’s also included resounding wins like the 4-1 home win over Arsenal in a huge fixture with title ramifications. Another massive 4-1 win at the Etihad over a long-time rival Liverpool showed everyone City was coming, and it’s been a Manchester City procession since the winning run began.
Manchester City players have done remarkably well this season
There have been amazing performances from Manchester City players all season long. Erling Haaland’s record-breaking 52 goals and counting season has played a massive part in City’s success. There was ridiculous talk while City adapted to having Haaland that he had chosen the wrong club, but as the season has hit the business end, Haaland has fit seamlessly into Guardiola’s winning machine. He caps off the work of those around him, and the sky is the limit for what may come with Haaland under Pep.
Outside of Haaland the work of Rodri who has solidified himself as the best-holding midfielder on the planet has been a work of art. Rodri is the most important Manchester City player in my opinion, and he should be one of the favourites for Player of the Season. His work makes this entire City side tick, and he allows De Bruyne, Grealish, Foden, Bernardo and Gundogan to flourish. There aren’t enough superlatives to properly sum up Rodri’s season, but without him none of the success is possible.
The entire defence, whatever lineup Guardiola chooses has been remarkable this season. Nathan Ake’s development and immense season to make himself one of the first picked at left-back is a tremendous credit to Ake and the work he’s put in. Manuel Akanji has also been a shrewd signing. The Swiss defender’s versatility is a weapon to this Manchester City side, and when called upon whether it be in the middle or at left or right back Akanji has been a revelation this season.
Ruben Dias post the World Cup has been a rock in the centre of defence for City. His return to the Dias we all know and love, with his leadership and organisation at the back has coincided with Manchester City’s title-clinching run. Dias is invaluable to this City side and he deserves all the plaudits that come his way.
John Stones has also gone to another level in his hybrid role as a second holding midfielder next to Rodri while also slipping into the heart of defence when required. That move has been a tactical masterstroke from Guardiola and has allowed John Stones to go to another level this second half of the season. The fact Stones switch has worked so seamlessly is a testament to the Englishman’s skill, football knowledge and hard work.
The John Stones tactical shift also allowed the attacking flowing football to return for Manchester City, with the solid defensive base behind them allowing City’s attackers to flourish. It’s been a work of art from Guardiola and speaks volumes about his tactical mastery.
In summary, this season’s Premier League title win is one for the ages. A three-peat of titles in any sport is hallowed ground, and for Manchester City to achieve it in the world’s toughest league is a testament to the entire club from the administration to the staff to the players.
The title also secures the first part of the treble on offer for Manchester City. The FA Cup Final against Manchester United looms just around the corner, as does the Champions League Final against Inter Milan a week later.
For now, it’s time to celebrate another Premier League title beginning with the Chelsea game as the last home game at the Etihad Stadium for this monumental season. The treble talk can wait, the third consecutive Premier League title is a moment to be savoured and enjoyed for Manchester City fans everywhere, and I know it will be at a rocking Etihad Stadium.