Manchester City beat Inter Milan in the Champions League final. It crowned their season in which they already won both the Premier League and FA Cup with a staggering third trophy, completing the treble.
From an Arsenal perspective, it is never enjoyable to watch anyone other than the Gunners win things, as is the nature of competitive sport. However, there are a number of factors which perhaps make it easier to the point that the Gunners might secretly even be okay with their title rivals lifting their third trophy of their season.
football.london takes a look at the three reasons why Arsenal might have hoped Man City were crowned European champions. With the reasons ranging from a potential managerial departure to a simple lack of care.
The unique ‘Invincibles’ achievement
Only one team has managed to win the Premier League without losing a single game - Arsenal. Yet Manchester United have their own unique accolade which is indeed the treble.
Saltiness? Sure. But seeing our old rivals lose that special sheen from the achievement that the uniqueness of having been the only club to go an entire season unbeaten brings will be an enjoyable one.
Especially considering it is not a Liverpool or Chelsea that are equalling the feat. But seeing Man United’s city rivals manage to rise to the same accolade after just over a decade of investment from their new owners will be a grating experience for them indeed.
READ MORE: Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: Rice offer, Caicedo bid sanctioned, Nico Williams scouted
The neutrality of Manchester City
I cannot think I have felt anything too negative about whenever Manchester City lift a trophy. Of course, this season in the Premier League had its connotations because the Gunners themselves were the ones battling the Citizens for the prize.
But be it an FA Cup, League Cup and now a treble with the Champions League it is difficult to have much, if any, ill-feeling toward it. Envy, sure, but the way Man City has achieved these goals and the lack of supporters to rub it in within social circles makes it the most tolerable compared to any other big club capable of doing it.
A step closer to Pep Guardiola’s departure
The Champions League had eluded Pep Guardiola for some time. It’s somewhat surprising that the last time he won the competition was not with this City side, or his Bayern Munich team but instead when he was boss of Barcelona in 2010/11, his second after the 2008/09 victory.
The Spaniard has longed for it and his attachment to City has arguably grown stronger than when he was in Catalunya. He has wanted to crown his legacy with the north west club with that title and perhaps achieving it takes him a step closer to the exit door.
For City’s current main rivals for the title, Arsenal might have been hoping this is the case. Although, there’s always the quadruple he might want to have a go at ludicrously attempting.
READ NEXT:
The truth about Edu and Arsenal transfer failures as £213.5m Liverpool myth exposed amid exits
Arsenal's sub-£100m Declan Rice approach explained as Edu wary of Mykhailo Mudryk repeat
