Nine people have been arrested at the Premier League title parade in north London following the club's crushing Champions League defeat last night. The Metropolitan Police reported offences including drunk and disorderly behaviour, drugs offences, sexual assault, and assaulting emergency workers as chaos erupted in the capital on Sunday.
Footage captured at the scene showed at least a dozen hooligans climbing on the roof of a police van, some appearing to drink, while banging their fists on the vehicle and chanting as footballs were thrown about. Pictures also showed supporters putting their middle fingers up at police officers as fights broke out. In some images from north London, Met officers were seen with their batons drawn and raised at rowdy Arsenal fans.
One man was pictured sitting on top of an ambulance despite its blue lights flashing. One constable fell over as the Met tried to stop fans from entering Emirates Stadium at the end of the celebrations this afternoon, and another was nearly knocked down after being struck with a bottle.
Fire Brigade Rescues 75 People
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said they had rescued approximately 75 people from incidents at height during the event and encouraged fans to refrain from climbing onto rooftops as the celebrations continued into the evening. They also attended a fire at a hotel, believed to have been caused by a stray flare.
Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne of the LFB said: 'Fortunately, the fire caused only a small amount of damage to the exterior of the building.' Pyrotechnics are also believed to have triggered fire alarms at several other locations in the area.
Travel Chaos and Celebrations
Up to one million people are thought to have lined the streets of north London, sparking travel chaos on TfL services. The London Overground's Mildmay Line experienced severe delays after the parade, and several stations, including Holloway Road, Drayton Park, and Essex Road, were shut or operating on restricted timetables due to congestion. Victoria line trains did not stop at Highbury & Islington, and Canonbury only allowed commuters to exit.
Aerial video footage showed four Arsenal buses slowly looping a five-mile circuit in north London as red smoke filled the streets to the sound of jubilant fans and vuvuzelas. Tens of thousands of supporters lined the roads as the Arsenal squad completed their victory laps despite last night's nail-biting Champions League final, which saw this year's Premier League title winners lose to PSG on penalties.
Fans' Reactions
Shortly after the planned 2pm start time, the convoy emerged from Emirates Stadium. Manager Mikel Arteta and captain Martin Odegaard posed with the trophy gleaming between them. Fans travelled from far and wide to attend, with many taking up vantage points hours in advance. Flags, flares, and a sea of red Arsenal shirts congregated on tubes and buses to reach the route.
Arron Lapsley, 16, from Halifax, said: 'It's exciting. It's a good atmosphere. Everyone's having a really good time - it's a great day out. It's a first time we've won a proper trophy for a lot of us.' When asked if the parade was overshadowed by the loss, he continued: 'I thought it would have done but everyone's come out so it's amazing.' His father Andy Lapsley, 54, added: 'It means a lot to be here... We watched the Champions League last night, we played really well. Gutting to lose on penalties.'
This year marks the first time in over 20 years that the English club last won the League title in the 2003/04 season. Security was tight, with more than 500 officers on the streets, a drone team, and specialist search groups.
Violence in Paris
Violence and destruction descended across France after PSG's win on Saturday night. PSG fans clashed with riot police across the French capital, where more than 280 people were arrested as scenes of anarchy marred the night. Across the country, a total of 416 people were arrested, prompting interior minister Laurent Nunez to condemn the chaos as 'absolutely unacceptable' as police officers were wounded.
Around 5,000 police and gendarmes were deployed in Paris to police crowds watching the final. Riots broke out just minutes after Arsenal took the lead. French officers used tear gas and baton charges against crowds gathered to watch the game on TV screens outside bars and cafés. Weapons and fireworks were confiscated. 'The trouble started as soon as Arsenal went one-nil up,' said an onlooker. 'Chairs and bottles were thrown at the police.'
Some PSG fans climbed scaffolding on a building close to the Rue de Rivoli. Unrest continued into the night, with all buses in Paris stopped due to large gatherings. Outside the Eiffel Tower, multiple vehicles were set alight. Outside the Emirates, hundreds of Arsenal fans reacted jubilantly to Havertz's goal by setting off red flares, but there were somber scenes after the game as emotional supporters shed tears.
In Paris, skirmishes continued throughout the first half, as some cafés turned off their televisions. Hundreds of tourists visiting Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre found themselves caught up in the trouble. Firefighters worked to put out flares set off by PSG fans. Le Parisien reported that crowds surged after Ousmane Dembele scored his equalizer, leading to another show of force from police. Other arrests were made near the Champs Élysées after a bus stop was vandalised. In Montmartre, fans wearing balaclavas and armed with iron bars were spotted.
