Arsenal supporters numbering in the hundreds of thousands spilled across the streets of north London, chanting loudly and setting off red flares as they celebrated the club’s first Premier League crown in 22 years.
The festivities continued the day after the title was secured, with the squad riding in an open-top bus alongside the glittering Premier League trophy. Arsenal finally lifted the trophy again after their last league triumph under Arsène Wenger’s famous “Invincibles” side, which won it in the 2003-04 season.
Arsenal had wrapped up the championship before the last round of matches, thanks to an unbeatable points advantage over second-placed Manchester City. City ultimately finished seven points behind Mikel Arteta’s team.
The title represented Arsenal’s first major piece of silverware since Arteta’s debut season, when he won the FA Cup in 2020. For a club that had finished runners-up for three straight years before this campaign, the wait was finally over.
Even the disappointment of Saturday’s Champions League final defeat to Paris St Germain on penalties in Budapest failed to dampen the mood. Fireworks and vuvuzelas helped keep the noise levels high throughout the celebrations.
“We’re not European champions, but we are champions of England—and that’s what matters. So we’re happy to celebrate with everyone,” said Julien Guillenenat, a French Arsenal supporter.
“I think we’re going to be fine next season. I feel like a weight has been lifted. This season was like it was balanced on a knife edge,” said 44-year-old Arsenal fan Mathieu Garnier.
“Finishing second three years in a row is finally behind us, and these players are going to be flying. I believe that,” he added.
Arsenal Women also joined the celebrations after their own success earlier this season, following their FIFA Women’s Champions Cup triumph.
Declan Rice, who joined Arsenal in 2023 for a club-record fee of 105 million pounds (equivalent to $141.32 million), said the win served as a clear reply to those who had mocked the team in the past.
“They’re pointing and they’re laughing. And what happened? They’re not laughing anymore. I love this team. I love this manager,” Rice told Sky Sports. “To see the joy we can give people is crazy. Next year, we’re coming back for more.”
Theo Grant, a 22-year-old Arsenal fan, expressed confidence that the club would reach the Champions League final again next season.
“Honestly, it’s going to give the players more motivation for next year. It’s going to be the best part,” Grant said. “We’re going to be in the final in Madrid next year. I’m going to get my tickets!”
