‘They’ve been waiting for this for so long’: Arsenal lift Premier League trophy ahead of Champions League final

The Premier League, before the Big Ears Cup? Six days before facing Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final, Arsenal was able to lift their 14th English champion trophy. The Gunners celebrated their coronation on the pitch at Crystal Palace, which they beat this Sunday for the 38th and final day of the championship (1-2).

Already welcomed with a beautiful guard of honor formed by Crystal Palace players before the match, the north London club thus completed its season with a 26th success. If the stands at Selhurst Park were largely emptied at the final whistle, the visiting supporters’ park remained in full to see their players touch a cup that had eluded them since the epic of Thierry Henry’s Invincibles 22 years ago.

Arteta carried in triumph

After collecting their medals one by one, Mikel Arteta and his players, jerseys printed with “champions 26” on their backs, were able to celebrate on the pitch. As a good captain, Norwegian attacking midfielder Martin Odegaard was the first to raise the precious sesame under the eyes of club owner Stan Kroenke, who came specially to the stands for the occasion. Spanish coach Mikel Arteta was also carried in triumph by his players at the final whistle.

“It was magnificent. Look at the joy of all these people, they have been waiting for this for so long. We’ve been through some tough times, but it’s definitely worth it when you see a reaction like this. Now it’s time to enjoy and put away your manager’s hat,” he reacted to Sky Sports.

The technician and former player of the club had chosen to rest almost all of his starters this Sunday, the match having no particular stake after the coronation of the club following the poor performance of Manchester City on the Bournemouth pitch on Tuesday. The Gunners will now have one last mountain to climb to try to conquer Europe, with the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain on May 30 in Budapest.