Thousands of Arsenal fans put the pain of their European disappointment behind them on Sunday as the club celebrated its first Premier League title since 2004 with a victory parade in London.
Supporters lined the streets in north London to catch a glimpse of their champions, who displayed the Premier League trophy from the upper deck of an open-top bus.
Dressed in the club’s iconic red and white colours, fans chanted, cheered, waved flags, and set off flares as they celebrated Arsenal’s first league triumph in 22 years.
Some supporters climbed trees, rooftops and traffic lights in a bid to secure a better view of Mikel Arteta’s side as the parade passed through the capital.
Arsenal were confirmed Premier League champions on May 19 after second-placed Manchester City were held to a draw by Bournemouth.
The club had hoped for a historic double celebration following their league success and a first-ever UEFA Champions League title.
However, they suffered heartbreak in Budapest on Saturday, losing on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain in the final, where the French side secured their second consecutive European crown.
Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhães missed in the shootout after the match ended 1-1 following extra time.
Kai Havertz had given Arsenal an early lead before Ousmane Dembélé equalised from the penalty spot in the second half.
The Premier League triumph marked Arsenal’s first title in 22 years after finishing runners-up for the previous three seasons.
The parade began shortly after 2:00 pm (1300 GMT) and was expected to last about two hours, covering a nine-kilometre route near the Emirates Stadium in Islington.
Four buses took part in the celebrations, including one carrying Arsenal Women, who won the inaugural Women’s Champions Cup earlier in February.
AFP
