Key events
“It’s now a wall of constant noise anywhere around the Emirates,” writes Oliver Holmes. “People are streaming out of the Arsenal tube station and heading for the stadium, which is a sea of red shirts. Some have brought fireworks and others have climbed onto the merchandise stalls to wave flags. It’s gonna be a long night.”
“I don’t know what to do,” writes Onno Giller. “It has not really sunk in yet. I couldn’t bear watch the City match. Only turned on for injury time. It feels weird to win it this way but I will take it. Been a fan since 1996, mainly as Bergkamp played there (being half Dutch). Been a mixed bag of 22 years, with some FA Cup wins and some amazing players. So happy for everyone involved and happy for my nerves as Sunday I can watch a match without worrying about my soul leaving my body for the first time in ages…”
You won’t be watching the Spurs match?
The video producers at the Emirates have been busy this week. All hail the Arsenal.
“My dad and brother, both named Conal, have been such faithful Arsenal fans since he took my brother to his first football match, when he was six years old,” writes Marianne Dias. “He is now 57 and my dad is almost 86 and living with dementia. With age and cognitive decline, he has lost interest in all of his hobbies except for Arsenal.
“He still gets to an occasional game and watches with delight on TV. Although not a football fan myself, I have followed the season nervously. My dearest wish was for Arsenal to win the league whilst my dad had the capacity to delight in the win, and so I am so elated tonight.”
In the last three Premier League seasons Arsenal have conceded 29, 34 and now 26 goals. There’s a lot more to Arsenal’s success than clean sheets and corners, of course there is, but their defensive record is extraordinary.
Bridesmaids no more: how Arsenal won it
Ed Aarons
They say good things come to those who wait, and for Arsenal supporters it has felt like an eternity. Since their unforgettable 2003-04 season when Arsène Wenger’s Invincibles went the top-flight campaign unbeaten, their team had spent an incredible 984 days at the top of the table without being champions. Until now.
After all the disappointments of the late Wenger era and finishing as runners-up in the past three seasons, that unwanted statistic can finally be put to bed after a campaign in which Mikel Arteta’s side have shown they are capable of holding their nerve.
There have been many doubters along the way, not least during a disastrous April during which Arsenal lost twice to their chief rivals, Manchester City, in a run of four consecutive domestic defeats in three competitions. But it is a triumph that rewards the faith shown by the hierarchy towards a rookie manager who arrived a week before Christmas in 2019 on a mission to restore them to former glories.
More reaction from our Arsenal-supporting readers
“I watched Arsenal win 22 years ago, an Icelander in an Australian pub in Denmark. A group of Gooners shared my joy, one of them looked me dead in the eye and said: ‘I don’t know you, but I am going to give you the biggest hug of your life!’ I wish I could return that hug today, but I settle for a victory toast with my wife” – Tryggvi Gunnarsson.
“I’ve been following Arsenal since the dog days of the mid 70s. This is every bit as satisfying as any of the many triumphs we’ve had since then” – Jeremy Cox.
“71 vintage, running up and down Lemons Hill Bridge in Suffolk howling into the sky! Champions!! Now for the double…” – Rob Kurta.
“I was born the day after Arsenal’s 2004 title win, so I am technically a newer Arsenal fan compared to many. Right now, streaks of sunlight pour into my room as I write this under my blanket. Much love from a Gunner from the Philippines” – Zach Goco.
“Became a fan in 1997. Was in dreamland for many years as a new fan. Then the 22 years of hurt. This year has been the toughest. At the end of a four-month-long surgery where you don’t know if your beloved Arsenal will come out alive. We sure have! Laughed and cried so much this past hour. Unbelievable!” – Rajesh.
“Niall asks if that is a branded water bottle in Piero Hincapié’s hand?” writes Bill Hargreaves. “I’m not sure. It’s difficult to recognise him with his trousers up.”
Only five teams in English football history have finished runners-up in three consecutive seasons.
Of those five teams, only the two Arsenal sides went on to become champions in the fourth season. It takes all kinds of mental strength to do that.
Arsenal usually win the league at the home of their greatest rivals. White Hart Lane in 1971 and 2004, Anfield in 1989, Old Trafford in 2002. Tonight it was settled at the Vitality Stadium while the players watched on from the training ground. They’ll sleep well tomorrow morning.
I’m going to hand over to Rob Smyth for more reaction. Thanks so much for all your emails, and enjoy the moment, Arsenal fans.
Ed Aarons runs the rule over Arsenal’s season with his player ratings …
We’ve had loads of lovely emails from jubilant Arsenal fans all over the world, including Seun Oluruntegbe in Canada.
“I started following Arsenal during the 2006 World Cup. As a kid growing up in Nigeria, I followed my brother and gravitated towards Arsenal for no obvious reason. Henry being Henry might have played a role. Over the years, my own life has mirrored Arsenal’s. I’ve often felt like I was underachieving and would wonder why I have often choose losing, if not necessarily wrong, causes.”
“But Arsenal’s resilience over the past few years has also mirrored mine. I have fled a war, started my life and career all over again in a different country and continent. I had the Guardian’s live blog for the City match open while working, occasionally taking 10 minute breaks hoping to come back to ‘Arsenal are champions’. Well, my dream came true. Dreams do come true. Well done to The Arsenal.”
Arsenal players greet the final whistle at Bournemouth. And is that a branded water bottle in Piero Hincapié’s hand?
The UK prime minister, Keir Starmer, has posted on X: “Twenty-two long years for the Arsenal. But finally, we’re back where we belong. Champions!” A rare evening to enjoy for the under-fire PM, while Jeremy Corbyn wrote: “North London Forever.”
It’s probably not much consolation, but after scoring a late equaliser tonight, Erling Haaland is nailed on to win the Premier League golden boot …
More of your reaction here. Has anyone checked on Gunnersaurus?
“Nearly two decades now of rising at ungodly hours to watch seasons of ungodly football, which developed in recent years into disappointment compounded by the naive optimism particular to the Arsenal fan. Was it worth it? Yes, yes it was.” – Jervis in Melbourne.
“On the way to Biarritz from Austria with my parents to visit my girlfriend and her parents. Train delayed and no chance to follow the match. I realized only when I left the train station we did it. No other Gooners in sight. Ah who cares … we did it!” – Johannes Steiner.
“I’ve watched and supported Arsenal since 1968. Just told the kids in my class in New Zealand that we’re champions. Phew!” – Arthur Johnstone.
“In 1989, my first season supporting Arsenal, we won the league after my bedtime. Now my eight-year-old daughter gets to stay up in her first season as a fan. Beautiful” – Ross Mander.
Since they lost 2-1 at the Etihad exactly a month ago, Arsenal have beaten Newcastle 1-0, Fulham 3-0, West Ham 1-0, and Burnley 1-0. Twelve points from 12, no goals conceded, and they got through 180 minutes against Atlético as well. Such an impressive run, just when it looked like the wheels were going to fall off.
Wenger hails Arsenal’s title achievement
Arsène Wenger has given his verdict on X. “You did it. Champions go on when others stop. This is your time. Now, go on and enjoy every moment.”
Former Gunners goalkeeper David Seaman, who made more than 400 appearances for Arsenal between 1990 and 2003, posted: “Premier League champions!!! What a moment!!! What a season!!!!!!!! EPIC!!!!!!!!!! Longest (22 years and) three minutes of MY LIFE…” He posts like he talks, does Dave.
Survival fight goes to final day as Spurs lose
Only in their wildest dreams could Arsenal fans have imagined they might win the title and watch Spurs get relegated this season. And it could still happen, after Roberto De Zerbi’s side lost 2-1 at Stamford Bridge tonight.
“I was only five years old when we got the last one – the very first game I can remember in any detail is the last game of that Invincibles season, specifically Vieira’s goal against Leicester on the last day. All downhill from there, until now!” writes James Woodman.
“What a shift from our players all season, it feels like they’ve run through walls to get here, battling not just other teams but immense mental inertia and the natural febrility of Emirates-era home crowds. Saliba for the Ballon D’Or, eff it! Declan Rice is the rarest of English midfielders, Gyökeres has come through a rough start, Raya is simply the best ‘keeper going. And Arteta, what more needs to be said but trust the process.”
Some of the reaction dropping into my inbox…
“Celebrating in Missouri!!! Go Gunners!” – Amanda VW.
“I’m from Toowoomba, Australia. I’m 18 and have supported Arsenal my whole life through good and bad. It has been a journey, but we’ve made it. I’ve got to go to school now, but I’m going to enjoy this one. COYG” – Finn Pickering.
“Can’t believe we finally did it. Kiwi in Boston here, became a fan watching Carlos Vela in the u-17 World Cup in the 2004. Had no idea who Thierry or Arsène even were then. 22 years later, and here we are. Forward, Arsenal!!” – Sebastian Bryers.
“Grew up watching Arsenal in Australia. In 2004, I stayed up late, missed school, forgot homework. Now I’m in Canada; that title was glorious but this is beyond comprehension. The tears are real. COYG” – Andrew B.
Oliver Holmes
More reaction from outside the Emirates, where people are running out the pubs and into the streets. Cars are honking as they go by, waving flags out of the windows. One man has brought out a bottle of champagne and is handing out flutes.
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As Declan Rice’s post shows, Arsenal were watching the game together at their London Colney training ground. The scenes at full-time were something to behold.
We’ll keep the focus here on Arsenal’s title win – so Gunners fans, drop me a line here wherever you are. I have to give a shoutout to my friends from uni, Andy and James. We watched the Invicibles’ parade on a beaten-up telly at our student digs in Cardiff, and it’s been a long, long wait for them to celebrate again. Congratulations, chaps.
Pep Guardiola has offered his congratulations to Arsenal and Arteta, his former assistant at Manchester City. “We were close. On behalf of everyone at Manchester City, we congratulate Mikel and all the staff, players and fans on winning the Premier League. They deserve it, for so much hard work and effort.
Despite the widespread reports this week, Guardiola did not confirm his departure, telling Sky that he has a year on his contract and needs to speak to the club hierarchy. It still feels like he is leaving it to City to make it official later this week, though.
Kari Tulinius writes: “It’s said to be anticlimactic to win the title by having your main rival lose. If this is an anticlimax, I’ll take it.” Personally, I think when your team wins a title like this, it’s different to sealing it on the pitch, but no less wonderful. Shame it’s a school night, is all.
Bournemouth 1-1 Manchester City: match report
John Brewin was at the Vitality to see a game that Manchester City never really looked like winning, until a frantic 90-second spell in stoppage time.
Paul MacInnes
A mass celebration is underway outside the Emirates Stadium as delirious Arsenal fans celebrate their first league title in 22 years. Young and old, male and female, people of all shapes and colours are spilling from the pubs on to the local streets, thronging around the concourse, singing and somehow trying to make sense of what has just occurred.
Arsenal’s Instagram admin marks their historic moment …
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Arsenal’s 14th title cements their third place in English football’s roll of honour:
20 Liverpool, Manchester United
14 Arsenal
10 Manchester City
9 Everton
7 Aston Villa
6 Chelsea, Sunderland
4 Newcastle, Sheffield Wednesday
3 Blackburn, Huddersfield, Leeds, Wolves
2 Burnley, Derby, Portsmouth, Preston, Tottenham
1 Ipswich, Leicester, Nottm Forest, Sheffield United, West Brom
And in the Premier League era, this is how things stand:
13 Manchester United
8 Manchester City
5 Chelsea
4 Arsenal
2 Liverpool
1 Blackburn, Leicester
Here’s more on how Arsenal sealed Premier League glory tonight.
Preamble
On 26 April 2004, Arsenal secured the English title – their 13th in total –with a 2-2 draw at White Hart Lane, with four games still to play and an unbeaten league season to complete. Few of the delirious fans in attendance that day would have believed another 22 years would pass before their team would win it again, and take their tally to 14.
White Hart Lane has been bulldozed and rebuilt while Highbury is now a block of flats, with the Emirates Stadium overseeing a painful period of decline under Arsène Wenger, before Unai Emery’s brief tenure. Mikel Arteta, an Arsenal player from 2011 to 2016, took charge in 2019 and has made the team title contenders again.
In the last six seasons, Arteta has led Arsenal to finish eighth, fifth, second, second, second … and now first. Gooners around the globe, rejoice. The day is finally here – Arsenal are champions of England again.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/may/19/arsenal-premier-league-champions-first-time-in-22-years-live-reaction
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