After two decades of heartbreak, near-misses, ridicule and collapse narratives, Arsenal are finally champions of England AGAIN.
The pressure that had weighed heavily on the club for years disappeared into the south London sky on Sunday afternoon as the Gunners lifted the 2025/26 Premier League trophy at Selhurst Park following a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace.
This was not just another title celebration.
It was the end of a 22-year wait.
It was the end of the “bottlers” tag.
And perhaps most importantly, it was the moment Mikel Arteta finally defeated his mentor and longtime tormentor, Pep Guardiola in the Premier League title race.
The Moment Arsenal Fans Had Waited 8,060 Days For
The title had officially been confirmed days earlier after Manchester City stumbled to a 1-1 draw against AFC Bournemouth but Sunday was about celebration.
At Selhurst Park, Arsenal supporters transformed the away end into what many called the “Champions Section,” with thousands of fans singing long before kickoff and long after full-time.
The game itself almost became irrelevant.
When captain Martin Ødegaard finally lifted the silver trophy into the London sky amid fireworks, red confetti and deafening cheers, it became one of the defining moments in modern Arsenal history.
For the first time since Arsène Wenger’s “Invincibles” conquered England in 2004, Arsenal were once again the undisputed kings of English football.
Arsenal’s Selhurst Park Humilation Transformation
The symbolism of Selhurst Park could not have been more perfect.
Back in April 2017, Arsenal were humiliated 3-0 at the same stadium as angry supporters demanded the exit of legendary manager Arsène Wenger.
Five years later, in 2022, they suffered another miserable 3-0 defeat there under Arteta, with the Spaniard forced to publicly apologise afterward.
Now, in 2026, the same stadium became the scene of ultimate redemption.
Arsenal arrived not as fragile pretenders but as champions.
How Arteta Finally Ended Arsenal’s Curse
This title was not built overnight.
It came after years of painful collapses and brutal lessons.
2022-23: The First Heartbreak
Three years ago, Arsenal looked destined to win the league.
They sat five points clear of Manchester City after 27 matches and had the title in their hands.
Then came the collapse.
A crushing 4-1 defeat at the Etihad Stadium collapsed the team and Guardiola’s machine never looked back.
City stormed to the title while Arsenal faded under pressure.
2023-24: So Close Again
The following season hurt even more.
Arsenal battled both Manchester City and Liverpool in one of the tightest title races in recent memory.
They led the table deep into May but City’s relentless consistency proved too much again, with Guardiola winning a fourth consecutive Premier League crown by the slimmest of margins.
2024-25: Liverpool Break Arsenal Hearts
Last season delivered another devastating blow.
With Manchester City finally showing signs of burnout, many expected Arsenal to seize the opportunity.
Instead, Liverpool surged ahead while Arsenal stumbled late in the campaign, including a painful 2-1 defeat at home to Bournemouth that effectively ended their hopes.
For the third straight year, Arsenal finished runners-up.
Questions intensified.
– Was Arteta capable of finishing the job?
– Could Arsenal ever overcome Guardiola?
The £260 Million Gamble That Changed Everything
Arsenal’s hierarchy refused to panic, instead, they backed Arteta heavily.
Over £260 million was spent during the summer of 2025 as the club aggressively rebuilt the squad.
Martín Zubimendi,
Eberechi Eze,
Noni Madueke and
Viktor Gyökeres
arrived to transform Arsenal from challengers into winners.
The result?
A tougher, smarter and more ruthless Arsenal side.
Gone was the obsession with beautiful football alone. This team became masters of control, set pieces and defensive dominance.
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How Arsenal Terrified the Premier League
The numbers behind Arsenal’s title-winning campaign were staggering.
- 19 goals from corners, the most in Premier League history
- 35 set-piece goals in all competitions
- Only 26 goals conceded in the league
- 19 clean sheets
- No penalties conceded all season
- No red cards received all season
Arteta built a machine.
Critics complained Arsenal were less entertaining than Wenger’s famous teams, but nobody could argue with the results.
This Arsenal side became almost impossible to break down.
Every corner kick felt dangerous and every set piece looked rehearsed to perfection.
And unlike previous seasons, when the pressure mounted, Arsenal no longer cracked.
Guardiola Finally Beaten By His Own Student
Perhaps the most fascinating storyline of all was Arteta finally overcoming Guardiola.
For years, Guardiola had crushed Arsenal’s dreams.
Arteta, once Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City, repeatedly watched his mentor deny him glory but this season, the student finally became the master.
Guardiola’s City pushed again. They hunted Arsenal relentlessly during the run-in, but this time, Arteta’s men survived every test.
And with Guardiola preparing to leave Manchester City after 10 years in charge, there is now a growing feeling that Arsenal’s era may only just be beginning.
Arteta Speaks After Making History
An emotional Arteta struggled to hide his joy after the trophy presentation.
“We have had difficult moments along the way but it is all worth it when you see that kind of reaction,” Arteta said.
“Now it is time to enjoy and take the manager hat off.”
“I think we showed an incredible connection commitment and courage. Everything around us has fuelled our desire to do it.”
“We have an incredible ownership. Through the tough times is when you really see people.”
“They have incredible values and know the sport better than any of us. They have committed to the project that we have delivered. They have been instrumental.”
“There were doubts.”
“It was understanding that I was able to take them this far [to second place] but maybe someone else has to come and do the final job, but thank god we have done it!”
“I feel a lot of joy and a little bit of belief.”
“Yes, [I doubted myself]. It is part of the job.”
“There are many things that are out of my control and that is why you need the best people around you.”
The Arsenal manager also issued a warning to the rest of the Premier League.
“I said to the boys that this shirt now represents something else,” Arteta said.
“We are the champions, and that brings a lot of confidence and a different kind of presence and energy to it.”
“But as well, another kind of responsibility and my job now and [that of] everybody at the club is going to be lift those standards now and achieve much more, because I think we are capable of doing it.”
Declan Rice: “It’s Everything I Expected and More”
Midfielder Declan Rice also admitted the moment fulfilled every dream he had when joining Arsenal.
“Incredible. Just saying and feeling that we’re champions, it’s all we’ve wanted. It’s nice! It’s been a dream. It’s everything I expected and more,” Rice said.
“[After Manchester City defeat] I believed because there was still five games to go. We started to be a bit more free in our game and play a bit better.”
“It was a strong message and it has paid off.”
The Trophy Lift Arsenal Fans Will Never Forget
As players individually collected their medals, emotions overflowed everywhere.
Rice and Bukayo Saka kissed the trophy before it was finally handed to Ødegaard.
Arteta danced with the silverware.
Sporting director Andrea Berta celebrated wildly alongside chief executive Richard Garlick.
Even owners Stan and Josh Kroenke, once heavily protested against by supporters, received cheers from fans after years of backing Arteta financially.
The suffering was finally over.
The jokes had ended.
After 8,060 days of waiting, Arsenal were champions again.
And now, with a Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain still to come, the Gunners suddenly stand on the brink of something even bigger.
