Arsenal finally ended their 22-year wait for a Premier League title, clinching the trophy with a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday. Goals from Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke ensured the Gunners could lift the trophy on the final day of the season.
Arteta Admits to Doubts
Manager Mikel Arteta confessed to having doubts about whether he was the right man to lead Arsenal to glory. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: 'There are doubts… I think doubts and an understanding that maybe… OK, I've been able to take them all the way here, but maybe somebody else has to come and do the final job. But thank God. I feel a lot of joy and honestly a little bit of relief.'
Arteta added: 'I can control certain things, but there are many things that are out of your hands, and that's why you need the best people around you. Sometimes when you doubt yourself, to have people as well next to you to say, no, we're going to do it and we're going to do it with you.'
Odegaard Lifts Trophy
Captain Martin Odegaard lifted the Premier League trophy amid fireworks and red smoke, marking a historic moment for the club. 'A lot of hard work behind there. So emotional but a beautiful, beautiful day,' Odegaard said. 'We were so strong mentally. After that [Man City defeat] we said to each other we're still going to do it, it's not over.'
Rice's Rallying Cry
Declan Rice revealed the message he gave his teammates after a defeat to Manchester City earlier in the season. 'I believed it 100 per cent because I took a lot from that game, but also to comfort my team-mates as well and calm everyone down because there were still five games to go,' he said. 'After that we started to just be a bit more free in our game. It was a strong message and it's paid off.'
Saka's Emotional Journey
Bukayo Saka, a one-club man, reflected on the journey from the club's low points to becoming a champion. 'It's crazy. I don't know how to describe it,' he said. 'I'm just over the moon, man. This is everything to me and my family. We've worked years for this, so I'm just so happy.'
Saka also addressed the banter years: 'I was in a dark place. I know from school, from social media... what people say about Arsenal, how they laugh about Arsenal. But it's done, man. It's no more jokes, man. It's our time.'
A Title Built on Efficiency
This season's Premier League rewarded efficiency and punished waste, as underlined by Arsenal's first title in 22 years. The Gunners mastered the league's undeniable truth, with nothing left on the training ground. The 25.4kg trophy felt heavy proof of their arduous campaign.
Arteta was lifted high into the sky by his players as the squad and fans sang 'North London Forever' together. After three runners-up finishes in a row, Arsenal's triumphant players took every moment as they passed the trophy between them, celebrating a long-awaited triumph.
