Manchester City face a summer of reflection after losing the Premier League title to Arsenal, and Erling Haaland says the frustration must drive a response. City drew 1-1 at Bournemouth, ending faint hopes of retaining the league and completing a domestic treble.
Arsenal are confirmed champions for the first time in 22 years because City needed victory to take the race to the final day. Haaland insists the disappointment, following back-to-back failed title defences, should fuel a stronger challenge in the 2026-27 campaign.
Haaland stressed that the entire club must learn from this season’s outcome and respond with greater intensity. "In the end, every game in the Premier League is difficult. We tried. It wasn't enough," Haaland told City's media
channels. "The whole club should use this as motivation now. We should be angry, we should feel a fire inside our belly because it's not good enough. "
The striker also reflected on how long the gap without a league crown feels for the squad. "It's been two years now, it feels like forever.We're going to do everything we can, everyone who will be here next season, to win the league. It was better than last season. I felt we could've still pushed a little more in the league, but again it's over now, so it's easy to say now. We won two trophies, which is important, butwe wanted the Premier League as well. "
City’s title hopes faded at the Vitality Stadium, despite late drama. Junior Kroupi put Bournemouth ahead before half-time, and the hosts wasted several clear chances to extend the lead. Haaland pulled City level with a powerful finish in the 95th minute, but the draw proved costly.
The result ended any realistic prospect of a domestic treble, even though City already hold the EFL Cup and FA Cup. The failure to collect the league trophy since 2024 now hangs over a team used to dominating long campaigns under Pep Guardiola.
For Guardiola, this season marks a new experience. For the first time in a managerial career that includes title runs in Spain, Germany and England, Guardiola has gone two successive seasons without winning a league championship while in charge of one club.
It's over.https://t.co/cLIAr7VT5u pic.twitter.com/zEvRrktUTyOpta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) May 19, 2026
Manchester City Premier League future and Guardiola speculation
Reports earlier in the week suggest Guardiola is likely to leave Manchester City at the end of this season, after ten campaigns in charge. Guardiola dismissed questions about the speculation before and after the Bournemouth match, preferring to direct attention toward completing the schedule.
City now turn focus to a possible farewell occasion for Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, when Aston Villa visit on the final day. Whatever happens next with the coach, Haaland’s comments underline that reclaiming the Premier League title will shape City’s plans and expectations.
