Arsenal celebrated their long-awaited return to the summit of English football in style on Sunday, defeating Crystal Palace 2-1 at Selhurst Park before lifting the Premier League trophy amid jubilant scenes.
The Gunners, crowned champions for the first time in 22 years after Manchester City were held to a draw by Bournemouth on Tuesday, marked their first match as champions with another composed display under manager Mikel Arteta.
Gabriel Jesus gave Arsenal the lead late in the first half before Noni Madueke doubled the advantage shortly after the break to seal the club’s 26th league victory of the campaign.
Since a damaging defeat to City on April 19 — a result many believed had swung the title race in Pep Guardiola’s favour — Arsenal responded in emphatic fashion, winning their final five league matches to finish seven points clear at the top.
At full-time, attention quickly shifted from the match itself to the title celebrations as captain Martin Ødegaard stepped forward to lift the Premier League trophy after medals were presented to Arteta and his squad.
Red confetti filled the south London sky as fireworks erupted around Selhurst Park, while Arsenal’s players sprayed champagne in front of thousands of travelling supporters packed into the Arthur Wait Stand.
Arteta, visibly emotional, was thrown into the air by his players as the celebrations gathered momentum. Club owner Stan Kroenke and his son Josh carried the trophy onto the pitch for the presentation ceremony.
The jubilant Arsenal fans continued the festivities long after the final whistle, singing anthems in honour of the champions, waving inflatable trophies, and joining the players in a stirring rendition of “North London Forever.”
Lifting the trophy away from the Emirates Stadium did little to diminish the occasion, with another celebration planned during the club’s victory parade through north London on May 31.
Attention will now turn to Arsenal’s pursuit of even greater glory as Arteta’s side prepare for the UEFA Champions League Final against Paris Saint-Germain F.C. on May 30. Having already secured the Premier League crown, victory in Europe would complete one of the greatest seasons in the club’s history.
Guard of honour
With one eye on the Champions League final in Budapest, Arteta rotated heavily, leaving key players including Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhães, David Raya, and Viktor Gyökeres on the bench.
Teenager Max Dowman made history by becoming the youngest player ever to start a Premier League match at just 16 years and 144 days old, breaking the previous record set by Jose Baxter in 2008.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner also rested several first-team stars ahead of Wednesday’s UEFA Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano.
Before kick-off, Palace players formed a guard of honour for the newly crowned champions, and Arsenal responded with a performance that reflected Arteta’s demand for “new standards.”
On a scorching afternoon in south London, Jesus struck the post inside five minutes before forcing Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson into another save moments later.
The Brazilian finally broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute after latching onto a clever pass from Gabriel Martinelli and drilling a low finish beyond Henderson at the near post.
Madueke doubled Arsenal’s lead just three minutes into the second half, continuing the set-piece excellence that has defined much of their title-winning campaign. After Kai Havertz headed the ball back into the danger area, Madueke volleyed home from close range.
Jean-Philippe Mateta pulled one back for Palace with a late header in the 89th minute, but by then the celebrations had already begun for Arsenal’s new champions.
