LONDON, May 25 — Arsenal celebrated their status as Premier League champions by lifting the trophy after securing a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace yesterday.
LONDON, May 25 — Arsenal celebrated their status as Premier League champions by lifting the trophy after securing a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace yesterday.
Mikel Arteta’s side clinched their first English league title in 22 years on Tuesday when second-placed Manchester City were held to a draw at Bournemouth.
Playing their first match since sealing the long-awaited triumph, the Gunners opened the scoring late in the first half at Selhurst Park through Gabriel Jesus.
Noni Madueke added a second after the break to seal the win, ensuring the champions finished the season with 26 victories from 38 matches.
Since their defeat to City on April 19 — a result that briefly shifted momentum towards their rivals — Arsenal responded with five consecutive league wins to finish seven points clear of Pep Guardiola’s side.
After the final whistle, captain Martin Ødegaard lifted the trophy as medals were presented to Arteta and his squad.
Red confetti and fireworks filled the air as he raised the silverware, while Arsenal players celebrated with champagne in front of thousands of supporters in the Arthur Wait Stand.
Arteta was thrown into the air by his players, while owner Stan Kroenke and his son Josh brought the trophy onto the pitch for the presentation.
Elated fans continued the celebrations, singing for the champions, waving inflatable trophy replicas and joining the squad in a rendition of the club anthem North London Forever.
Lifting the trophy away from the Emirates Stadium did not diminish the occasion for Arteta and his team, who will celebrate further during a parade in north London on May 31.
Attention now turns to their bid for a Champions League title, with the final against Paris Saint-Germain set for May 30.
While the league triumph marks a successful season, winning Europe’s top prize would elevate it into Arsenal’s greatest campaign.
Guard of honour
Arteta made several changes ahead of the final in Budapest, leaving Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhães, Eberechi Eze, David Raya and Viktor Gyökeres on the bench.
Arsenal’s Max Dowman became the youngest player ever to start a Premier League match at 16 years and 144 days, surpassing the previous record set by Jose Baxter in 2008.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner also rotated his squad ahead of their UEFA Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano.
Palace players formed a guard of honour as Arsenal entered the pitch, before the champions responded to Arteta’s call for “new standards” in performance.
On a hot afternoon in south London, Jesus struck the post early before being denied by Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson shortly after.
He broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute, finishing from close range after a precise assist from Gabriel Martinelli.
Madueke doubled the lead in the 48th minute from a set piece, with Kai Havertz heading the ball into his path for a volleyed finish.
Jean-Philippe Mateta pulled one back with a 89th-minute header, but Arsenal’s celebrations remained the defining moment. — AFP
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