Why Man City No Longer Have the Premier League Trophy and How Arsenal and City Can Both Lift the Title

The Final Showdown: Arsenal vs. Manchester City

As the final day of the Premier League season approaches, football fans are gearing up for a thrilling showdown between Arsenal and Manchester City. With Manchester City leading by two points and facing a home game against West Ham United, they are the clear favorites. However, Arsenal is still in contention, needing anything but a City win to have a chance at the title as they face Everton at the Emirates Stadium. All matches will kick off at the same time, adding to the excitement and ensuring fans will be glued to their screens, switching channels, and constantly checking their phones.

Historically, the final day of the Premier League has provided numerous dramatic moments, and this season is no exception. Manchester City, with their formidable squad and home advantage, will be looking to secure the title with a convincing win. The pressure will be immense, but their experience in handling high-stakes situations could prove decisive. On the other hand, Arsenal will be banking on a slip-up from City while focusing on their own game against Everton. The Gunners have shown resilience throughout the season and will be hoping to end on a high note.

One significant change this season is the handling of the Premier League trophy. In the past, a helicopter would be on standby to transport the trophy from one ground to another, depending on the unfolding results. However, that is no longer the case. Instead, both Manchester City and Arsenal will have an identical trophy to lift, depending on the outcome of their respective matches. This ensures that the victorious team can celebrate immediately and avoid logistical complications.

The simultaneous kick-off times add an extra layer of suspense, as fans will be eagerly monitoring both games, aware that a single goal could swing the title race. The final showdown between Arsenal and Manchester City promises to be a captivating end to an exhilarating Premier League season, with both teams poised to seize their moment of glory.

As the reigning champions of the Premier League, one might naturally expect Manchester City to still possess the coveted trophy. However, Premier League regulations dictate a specific protocol regarding the retention of the trophy by the previous season’s winners. According to these rules, the champions are required to return the trophy to the Premier League at least three weeks before their final league match of the subsequent season. Consequently, despite Manchester City’s triumph in the 2022/23 season, they have already relinquished the trophy back to the Premier League authorities.

This seemingly peculiar arrangement is part of a well-structured system that the Premier League has in place, which involves the existence of two identical trophies. One of these trophies is awarded to the champions and remains with them throughout the season. The other is retained at the Premier League headquarters, serving multiple purposes such as television appearances, commercial engagements, and marketing opportunities. This dual-trophy system ensures that logistical challenges are minimized, particularly on the final day of the season when the new champions are crowned.

The strategy behind having two identical trophies is to guarantee that both potential title winners—be it Arsenal or Manchester City in this scenario—can immediately celebrate with a piece of silverware. This eliminates the necessity for any hurried transportation of the trophy between different stadiums, which could complicate proceedings and dampen the celebratory atmosphere. Essentially, this system ensures that the excitement and pageantry of lifting the trophy can be experienced seamlessly by the winning team, regardless of the location of their final match.

Therefore, irrespective of whether it is Arsenal or Manchester City who emerge victorious on the final day, both teams will have the opportunity to hoist a Premier League trophy. This meticulous planning reflects the Premier League’s commitment to maintaining the integrity and spectacle of the competition, providing a fitting conclusion to the season’s long and arduous journey.