Arsenal wrapped up a memorable Premier League campaign in style on Sunday, defeating Crystal Palace 2-1 at Selhurst Park before lifting the league trophy in front of jubilant supporters.
The North London club secured their first English top-flight title in 22 years earlier in the week after Manchester City dropped points against Bournemouth, officially handing Mikel Arteta’s side the crown.
Returning to action for the first time since becoming champions, Arsenal produced another composed performance to close out the season.
Goals from Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke ensured the Gunners finished the campaign on a winning note.
Jesus opened the scoring late in the first half after Arsenal dominated much of the early exchanges.
Madueke doubled the advantage shortly after the restart, while Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta grabbed a late consolation for the hosts.
The victory capped a remarkable league season for Arteta’s men, who recorded 26 wins from 38 matches and finished seven points clear of defending champions Manchester City.
Arsenal’s late-season form proved decisive in the title race.
Since suffering defeat to City on April 19, a result many believed would swing momentum toward Pep Guardiola’s side, the Gunners responded with five consecutive league victories to seal the championship.
After the final whistle, attention shifted from the match to the long-awaited trophy presentation.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard lifted the Premier League trophy after players and coaching staff received their medals on the pitch.
Red confetti filled the air as fireworks exploded around Selhurst Park, while Arsenal players celebrated by spraying champagne before thousands of travelling fans packed inside the Arthur Wait Stand.
Arteta was tossed into the air by his squad during the celebrations, while club owner Stan Kroenke and his son Josh joined the presentation ceremony by carrying the trophy onto the pitch.
Supporters continued the festivities long after the final whistle, singing club songs, waving inflatable replicas of the trophy, and joining players in an emotional rendition of the anthem “North London Forever.”
Although the trophy presentation took place away from the Emirates Stadium, the celebrations are far from over.
Arsenal are expected to parade the silverware through North London on May 31 as fans continue to celebrate the historic achievement.
Attention will now turn to Europe, where Arteta’s side hope to complete a dream season by winning the UEFA Champions League for the first time.
Arsenal face Paris Saint-Germain in the final on May 30.
Winning the Premier League already marks one of the greatest moments in the club’s modern history, but adding the Champions League title would elevate the campaign to legendary status.
With the Champions League final approaching, Arteta rotated his squad heavily against Crystal Palace.
Key players including Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhaes, David Raya, Viktor Gyokeres, and Eberechi Eze were named among the substitutes.
The match also saw history made by Arsenal youngster Max Dowman, who became the youngest player ever to start a Premier League game at 16 years and 144 days old.
He surpassed the previous record held by Jose Baxter since 2008.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner also rested several first-team stars ahead of the club’s UEFA Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano later this week.
Before kickoff, Palace players formed a guard of honour for the newly crowned champions as Arsenal walked onto the pitch.
Arteta had challenged his players to maintain the “new standards” expected of champions, and Arsenal responded positively despite the celebratory atmosphere surrounding the occasion.
On a hot afternoon in South London, Jesus threatened early, striking the post in the fifth minute before forcing Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson into another save moments later.
The Brazilian eventually broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute after Gabriel Martinelli slipped a clever pass into his path.
Jesus fired a low shot beyond Henderson at the near post to give Arsenal the lead.
Madueke added the second goal three minutes into the second half from another Arsenal set-piece routine, an area that became one of the team’s greatest strengths throughout the season.
Kai Havertz headed the ball back into the danger area from a corner kick, allowing Madueke to volley home from just inside the box.
Palace pulled one back in the closing stages through Mateta’s header in the 89th minute, but the late goal did little to spoil Arsenal’s title celebrations as players and supporters marked the end of a historic campaign.
