"They've been fantastic, so all credit to them" – Kyle Walker sends message to Arsenal as Manchester City are crowned PL champions

Kyle Walker has claimed that Arsenal deserve plaudits for a stellar campaign after missing out on the elusive Premier League title to Manchester City in the ongoing 2022-23 season.

Manchester City were crowned domestic champions for the fifth time in the last six seasons following Arsenal's 1-0 shock loss at Nottingham Forest on Saturday (May 20). Taiwo Awoniyi netted the decisive goal at the City Ground.

Arsenal, who were chasing their first Premier League title in 19 years, led the table for a whopping 248 days. However, they lost their momentum in the worst possible moment, registering just two victories in their last eight games.

Speaking to club media, Manchester City star Walker heaped praise on the Gunners for challenging Pep Guardiola's outfit. He said:

"Arsenal pushed us right to the limit. They've been fantastic, so all credit to them. But we 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.

"We're a bunch of lads who have achieved so much over the last few years and we understand the standards we've set."

Sharing his thoughts on Manchester City's fine performance in the ongoing 2022-23 season, Walker continued:

"As for inspiration, there's captains, managers and so on but we drive ourselves – we achieved so much over the past five or six years, but we knew the bar wasn't high enough at the start of the season.

"When we came back after the World Cup, we had to kick on and fair play to the lads. We wanted to prove anyone doubting us wrong."

Manchester City, who are currently on 85 points from 35 matches, are set to lift the 2022-23 Premier League title on Sunday (May 21). The ceremony will take place at the end of their home clash against 12th-placed Chelsea.

Manchester City star comments on PL title celebrations after Arsenal loss

When asked about indulging in Premier League title celebrations, Kyle Walker told his club's official website:

"Tomorrow! I'm glad that it's done and we're over the line. We will play the good football we do for our fans against Chelsea because they deserve it. Then we have Brighton and Brentford left to face in the Premier League and then two massive games to hopefully go and make history. If we can do well there, the handbrake's off after that!"

Manchester City are considered to be overwhelming favorites against Chelsea this Sunday. They are aiming to win four consecutive Premier League matches against the Blues for the first time after registering three 1-0 wins.

Meanwhile, the Cityzens are hoping to lift a treble this season. They will face Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final on June 10 after taking on city rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup summit clash on June 3.