Arsenal were crowned Premier League champions on Sunday, bringing an end to a 22-year drought as Mikel Arteta’s side lifted the trophy following a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
The Gunners had secured the title on Tuesday after second-placed Manchester City could only draw at Bournemouth, but this was their first opportunity to celebrate in front of fans since clinching the crown.
Gabriel Jesus broke the deadlock late in the first half, and Noni Madueke added a second after the interval to ensure the champions finished the campaign with 26 wins from 38 matches.
Since a defeat at City on April 19 – a result that appeared to shift the title race in their rivals’ favour – Arsenal have won five consecutive league matches to finish seven points clear of Pep Guardiola’s side.
Once the final whistle blew, the main event commenced. Captain Martin Ødegaard hoisted the trophy as red confetti and fireworks exploded into the air, while players sprayed champagne towards thousands of jubilant fans in the Arthur Wait Stand.
Arteta was thrown into the air by his squad, and Arsenal’s US-based owner Stan Kroenke – accompanied by his son Josh – carried the trophy onto the pitch for the presentation.
Supporters kept the party alive with inflatable trophy replicas, chants praising the champions, and a rousing rendition of the club anthem, ‘North London Forever’.
Raising the trophy away from the Emirates Stadium did nothing to diminish the occasion. The team will parade the silverware through north London on May 31.
Arteta’s Men Eye Historic Double
Attention now turns to the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain on May 30. Winning the European crown would mark Arsenal’s greatest season.
Guard of Honour for Champions
Arteta made numerous changes ahead of the Budapest final, leaving Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhães, Eberechi Eze, David Raya and Viktor Gyökeres on the bench.
Forward Max Dowman became the youngest player to start a Premier League match, aged 16 years and 144 days – surpassing José Baxter’s record of 16 years and 198 days set in 2008.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner also rested key players before Wednesday’s Europa Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano.
Arsenal received a guard of honour from Palace’s players upon their emergence from the tunnel, before responding to Arteta’s demand to play with “new standards” befitting champions.
On a blistering afternoon in south London, Jesus hit the post inside five minutes and shot straight at Dean Henderson soon after. He finally converted in the 42nd minute, driving home after a deft pass from Gabriel Martinelli.
Madueke bagged the second in the 48th minute from a corner – Kai Havertz heading back for the winger to volley home from just inside the area.
Jean-Philippe Mateta headed a late consolation in the 89th minute, but by then only the celebrations mattered.
