Chad Johnson has been one of the NFL’s most vocal soccer fans and is routinely seen live-posting about matches. He was also tuned in when Bournemouth hosted Manchester City on Tuesday in a match that had the potential to decide the Premier League title race.
Eli Junior Kroupi’s curling finish in the 39th minute gave the Cherries a 1-0 lead and put Arsenal on the brink of their first league title in 22 years, and Johnson was among the many reacting in real time.
Junior Kroupi’s Goal Hands Arsenal the Premier League Title
The 19-year-old Frenchman’s strike will be remembered for years to come, especially for Arsenal fans around the world. Kroupi has been one of the Premier League’s breakout stars in 2025-26, scoring 13 goals in 32 league appearances.
His opener against City, a curling effort into the top corner, was enough to beat the Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, and the goal played a huge part in the title race.
“Beautiful shot, Kroupi Jr.” Johnson wrote on X.
Beautiful shot Kroupi Jr. ✅
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) May 19, 2026
Erling Haaland tied the score in injury time, but unfortunately, it was not enough for City to send the title race into the final gameweek of the season. The game ended 1-1, and Arsenal were crowned Premier League champions, a title they thoroughly deserved after enduring years of pain.
“No way they scored,” Johnson said after Haaland’s equalizer.Â
Krupi helped Arsenal win the title, but he will not play in the World Cup this summer. He refused to represent Portugal and will play for France on the international stage, but he didn’t make the French World Cup squad. He will be required to reach the next level as soon as possible to make that team because of quality players like Michael Olise, Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Hugo Ekitike, once he’s back healthy.
For Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, the title ends three consecutive seasons of finishing second, twice behind City and once behind Liverpool. Arteta has arguably built Europe’s best defense and used set pieces to an unprecedented degree.
This belongs to all of us. pic.twitter.com/7cUNDp2KR5
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 19, 2026
Given that Pep Guardiola is expected to leave City at the end of the season, the power dynamics in English football could shift in Arsenal’s favor for the foreseeable future.
Liverpool, despite spending roughly $300 million last summer on players like Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, and Alexander Isak to complement Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai, underwhelmed under Arne Slot in 2025-26. Moreover, Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson are confirmed to leave the club at the end of the season, and Allison Becker could also complete a transfer to Juventus, which will further weaken the team.
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There is less confidence around the league and among Liverpool fans that Slot can restore the club to title contention next season, which further widens Arsenal’s window.
If the Gunners can add a dynamic wide attacker like Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola this summer, they could again solidify themselves as the team to beat in 2026-27.
First, though, there is the matter of a Champions League final against PSG on May 30 in Budapest. Arsenal have never won that competition, and reigning champions PSG will be a formidable opponent.
Arteta’s side could cap an extraordinary season with the biggest trophy in European club football, but it will be tough for them to get a result against a team that is arguably the best of this decade.
