Arsenal elevate the Premier League for first time in 22 years as Mikel Arteta enjoys wild scenes
Arsenal celebrated lifting the Premier League trophy for the first time in 22 years as Mikel Arteta’s side got their hands on the title at Selhurst Park
Arsenal lifted the Premier League title
Arsenal celebrated winning their first Premier League title in 22 years as Mikel Arteta and his stars got their hands on the trophy.
After three successive second place finishes, Arsenal finally shook their bridesmaid tag to become the bride when it was confirmed in midweek that they were champions when Manchester City failed to beat Bournemouth.
Arsenal’s stars and their fans travelled across London to face Crystal Palace as champions for the first time. Before kick-off, the players took in the applause of their adoring fans before a heavily-rotated side beat the Eagles 2-1 in the perfect preparation for the Champions League final against PSG next Saturday.
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As the visitors entered the pitch, led out by Sunday’s captain Gabriel Jesus, they were given a guard of honour by Palace’s players. Jesus went on to open the scoring before England’s World Cup inclusion Noni Madueke doubled the lead just two minutes after the break.
Jean-Philippe Mateta scored a late consolation for Palace but the Eagles were unable to rain on Arsenal’s parade. Following City’s defeat at home against Aston Villa in Pep Guardiola’s last game, the Gunners finished seven points clear of their nearest rivals.
The away fans had to remain patient for their heroes to return to the pitch for the trophy lift that took place an hour after full-time, but the mood in the away end was never going to wane.
Arsenal’s staff and coaching team emerged first before the victorious players headed over to the away section to begin the party. One by one the players received their medals as the supporters sang their chants before Martin Odegaard lifted the trophy high above his head.
Speaking about his side’s triumph, Arteta said: “It’s incredible. I’ve been dreaming about this moment for a long time, but when it actually happens, it’s different to anything that I imagined.
“I could never expect such a joy and togetherness, and something that happens organically in the manner that it happened straight after we won it. It was magical to witness that.”
Calling for his players to go one step further in Budapest, Arteta added: “We have raised different standards now.
This is where we are right now, and now we have to go to the next level, and the next level is going to happen in six days in Budapest, to go and win the Champions League, and we know that.
“Our only focus now is to achieve that goal. The energy has been incredible around the place with the boys, with everybody, because we have a lot of families, a lot of people who know each other, a lot of people connected in and around the club.
“And you see the joy, but you see as well the ambition. We’ve done that, but now we want this one.
“And with the journey that we had in the Champions League this season, I think we need to be very confident. that we have the ability to go and win it.”
