21 May 2023 , 11:45
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Manchester City defender Kyle Walker has paid tribute to Arsenal for pushing Pep Guardiola's men all the way in the race for the title.
City were officially named champions on Saturday evening after the Gunners were beaten 1-0 away at Nottingham Forest, with Arsenal only capable of a maximum of 84 points as a result. Mikel Arteta's men topped the table for the majority of the season but fell short when the pressure was at its highest.
The collapse of their title charge has led to widespread ridicule and accusations that Arsenal bottled the league, given they were leading the pack for 248 days over the course of the season. However, Walker has been quick to give the Gunners credit.
"Arsenal pushed us right to the limit they’ve been fantastic, so all credit to them," Walker told City's website.
"But we just went on an incredible run, they had a few hiccups and we capitalised on it and we’ve managed to end up where we have now."
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The City defender also went on to explain what sets his side apart and seemed to settle on a trait that Arsenal didn't have when it mattered most.
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Arsenal have run out of gas in the run-in (Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)"We will play the good football we do for our fans against Chelsea because they deserve it, then we have Brighton and Brentford and then two massive games to hopefully go and make history.
"If we can do well, the handbrake’s off after that! You’ve got to be ready at the business end of the season because that’s what this club is all about and what we are built for."
City's final two games of the league season are both away from home against Brighton and Brentford respectively, meaning that Sunday afternoon's clash against Chelsea at the Etihad will also see Walker and his team-mates lift their fifth Premier League title in six seasons.
While Walker did admit the City players will be celebrating their title triumph, attention will soon turn to the two other trophies still on offer to Guardiola's men.
City are on the verge of an astonishing treble, with a date at Wembley against local rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final the next chance they could get their hands on a second piece of silverware.
A week later, they will face off with Inter Milan in the Champions League final with a huge chance to end their wait for the one competition that has eluded them for the entirety of Guardiola's reign.