“Let’s believe in miracles guys” was Mikel Arteta’s message to the Arsenal faithful in the build-up to their Premier League title-deciding final game against Everton.
There was no question that they took that on board as raucous Gooners gathered in N5 in their thousands hours before the 3pm kick-off. A delightfully sunny May afternoon set the tone for a vibrant atmosphere, a sea of red and white and lime green jerseys gathering at roundabout just outside of the Emirates Stadium’s Armoury shop.
Adoring chants directed at Arteta and abuse aimed at rivals Tottenham created a wave of emotion as the Arsenal team bus arrived. Never mind what was going to unfold at the Etihad Stadium, the Gunners were determined to enjoy the occasion.
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And why not? Their club had managed what only Liverpool had been able to against Pep Guardiola’s juggernaut of a Manchester City team by pushing them to the final day of the season. It didn’t matter that City were always likely to win their home game against West Ham, Arsenal had already achieved history this season.
Arteta’s men recorded their highest number of wins and goals in a Premier League campaign, and still the title was out of their hands. In any other era, that would have been enough to clinch their first Premier League triumph in 20 years, a feat last achieved by the legendary Invincibles, who were dotted around the Emirates on the day to mark the anniversary.
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Advanced pyrotechnics were used against a backdrop of Arsenal’s now-beloved anthem, the Angel by Louis Dunford, which was belted out in spine-chilling fashion.
Yet all of the anticipation, anxiousness, fear, hope and belief brimming inside the arena came to a crashing halt as the inevitable happened just two minutes in. Phil Foden goal. Man City one. West Ham nil.
Fans checked their phone notifications and grumbled as Arsenal’s players attempted to get into their stride. They were not to know, but the Emirates was now aware that their title hopes were already being decided elsewhere.
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There was another exasperated sigh as Foden scored again 16 minutes later. The rhythmic beating of the Ashburton Army’s drums and scattered hopeful chants could not mask what was a disappointing showing thus far from Arsenal, who suffered a major blow when they conceded to a deflected Idrissa Gueye free-kick in the 40th minute.
No sooner had 60,000 Gunners accepted their fate when Martin Odegaard’s cut back found Takehiro Tomiyasu free inside the box, the Japanese defender tidily stroking it into the bottom corner 43 minutes in.
The Emirates erupted, with celebrations increasing tenfold as news of City conceding to a Mohammed Kudus bicycle kick flooded in at the exact same moment. Seconds later, the noise reached deafening heights, with Arsenal fans jumping out of their seats to celebrate again in the belief that City had conceded another.
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The pure ecstasy lasted but just seconds as they quickly realised they had been duped by false news spreading around the ground. Yet they roared their team into the tunnel when the half-time whistle blew with a sliver of fool’s hope.
A cagey second-half manifested itself in an increasingly frustrated crowd, defiantly still supporting their side but knowing they needed to score another and, by some miracle, City had to concede. The opposite came true. Rodri, City’s ever-dependable metronome, scored on the hour mark to take the reigning champions to within touching distance of their fourth successive title – the first time a team had ever managed it.
Arsenal continued to push for a winner knowing they had to at least do their job. With full-time looming, Kai Havertz headed onto the crossbar and Martin Odegaard took a fraction too long to shoot in a golden chance, which was spectacularly stopped by the Toffees’ Jordan Pickford.
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Momentum built with the introduction of Jurrien Timber and Emile Smith Rowe and Arsenal finally managed to make their pressure pay courtesy of fan-favourite Havertz, who tapped the ball in after a swift counter led by Gabriel Jesus.
Referee Michael Oliver was called to the VAR screen for a potential handball by Jesus in the build-up, though the goal was allowed to stand, sending the Arsenal support into a state of delirium once more.
One thing was clear as the final whistle cemented Arsenal’s second-placed finish nine months after the season began, leaving them two points behind winners City. All in red and white were proud of the fight shown by their players. Dejected as they were sitting around the centre circle, the team, led by Martin Odegaard, received rousing support and encouragement from all.
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A celebratory atmosphere was followed by Odegaard and Arteta’s speeches, with the latter calling on the Gunners faithful to take a brief break and to “keep inspiring the players” ahead of what is expected to be another title charge next season. Arsenal fans responded by serenading the manager and his players.
The stadium remained packed even after the lap of honour as heroes such as William Saliba, Bukayo Saka and Havertz had their songs blared out over the tannoys. Arsenal were down but not out, ready for all the drama to unfold again in 2024/25.