By 10pm, roads surrounding the Emirates were standing room only – and for good reason, as Arsenal had just secured their first Premier League title in 22 years. The atmosphere was electric, with fans pouring onto the streets to celebrate a long-awaited triumph.
Emotions Run High
“Twenty-two years,” said a father to his son, shaking his head reflectively. “Twenty-two effing years.” Standing outside the Emirates Stadium among an ever-growing crowd, he was not alone in trying to process his feelings. Arsenal had finally clinched the league title, ending a generation-long wait.
From the moment Eli Junior Kroupi gave Bournemouth a first-half lead over Manchester City, the red part of north London began preparing to party. Arsenal’s only rivals for the title needed to win to take the duel to the final day, and a half-time deficit was not a promising start. The landlord of the gridlocked Gunners pub on Blackstock Road already had a glass of champagne in hand, perhaps anticipating the takings.
Over at the Tollington, the pub closest to Arsenal’s home for the past 18 years, similar confidence prevailed, even when City equalised in second-half added time. “It’s just two minutes, just two minutes, they’re going to do it!” insisted a girl to her brother as they stood transfixed by an iPad showing the match.
The Celebration Unleashed
She was right, and the moment the final whistle blew, the streets erupted. Chants of “Set piece again olé olé” and “Arr-se-nal” filled the air. People spilled onto the roads, car horns blared, and even Deliveroo riders joined the festivities. A procession emerged and moved towards the ground from all directions. By 10pm, the Emirates and its surrounding avenues were packed. Pyros were let off in the centre, while fans sat politely on the flanking stairs. A mosh pit briefly formed, but it turned out to be fans escorting Ian Wright through the crowd. Gunnersaurus also made an appearance, adding to the surreal atmosphere.
“I don’t think it’s sunk in yet, really,” said Xavier, a twentysomething fan with a view of the stadium from his flat. His father had placed him on a season ticket waiting list from age five, but he still doesn’t have one. “It’s hard to grasp what they’ve achieved. The season has been a slog, but the league is so tough. I think this success will be looked back on differently.”
Jaden, another lifelong fan whose first memories include Thierry Henry, Robert Pires, and Jens Lehmann, said: “I feel absolutely great. It’s been years of constant banter, all the talk that Arsenal would never do it. And now we’ve done it. I think we’ll hold on to this for a while, and I’m delighted for Mikel Arteta. He’s stuck to his guns and delivered.”
Diverse Celebrations
There were more stories: three young women from New Zealand who had lived nearby for three years and become swept up in Arsenal’s quest, and a boy on his father’s shoulders still in Sonic the Hedgehog pyjamas, presumably woken from bed. As the night progressed, more people hit the streets to celebrate.
Arsenal’s success has not always been welcomed by rival supporters, and in the febrile culture of modern English football, the halo around this triumph may not last long. But on this night, it was impossible not to be carried along by the unadulterated joy. Young, old, male, female, black, white, and everyone in between; the achievements of 11 men kicking a ball had lit up countless lives. Such moments of great happiness are rare, as Arsenal fans know well. On this night, they were determined to make the most of it.
