MANCHESTER City captain Ilkay Gundogan has commended the club for winning this season’s English Premier League title.
Gundogan’s side profited from Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest to confirm their third straight title in the competition.
City still have three Premier League fixtures to play but are four points clear of second-placed Arsenal, who have only one game left.
“To have helped Manchester City win a third straight Premier League title is something very special,” the German said after Nigeria striker Taiwo Awoniyi last night struck to end Arsenal’s title hopes.
“The Premier League is without doubt the most demanding and competitive league in the world so that tells you everything about what an achievement this is.”
Gundogan, who has now won his fifth Premier League title with City under Pep Guardiola in six years, recognised the contributions of his teammates and the coaches to the latest triumph.
“This squad is so talented and so special and to have been captain this season has been an enormous privilege. I would also like to thank Pep, all the backroom staff and everyone who works across this football club,” he added.
“Every day they help provide us with everything we need in order to try to be successful. There’s no way we could’ve won this title without all their support. To have won this trophy three times in a row and five times in six years is incredible.”
City players gathered in a room, believed to be inside their training complex, to watch the Forest versus Arsenal clash, and footage of them exploding into celebration at the final whistle was shared by the club’s social media accounts.
Gundogan and his teammates are on course for a rare treble of Premier League, UEFA Champions League and FA Cup trophies.
They are in the FA Cup final, in which they face city rivals Manchester United on June 3, and the Champions League final, where they battle Inter Milan one week after.
Incidentally, only Manchester United have previously won the Premier League three times in a row and claimed the treble in English football.
Chelsea, who play City at the Etihad Stadium today, are expected to give the champions a guard of honour before kick-off.
