Thousands of Arsenal fans set aside the disappointment of missing out on European glory as they filled London’s streets on Sunday to celebrate the club’s first Premier League title since 2004.
Crowds of jubilant Gunners supporters, dressed in the iconic red and white, lined the roads in North London to catch a glimpse of their heroes parading the Premier League trophy atop an open-top bus. The air was alive with chants, flag-waving, and flares as fans soaked in Arsenal’s first league triumph in 22 years.
Determined to get the best view, some supporters climbed trees, rooftops, and traffic lights to spot Mikel Arteta’s title-winning squad. Arsenal secured the championship on May 19, after second-placed Manchester City were held to a draw at Bournemouth.
Hopes for a historic double were dashed just a day earlier, when Arsenal lost a dramatic Champions League final in Budapest to Paris Saint-Germain. The match ended 1-1 after extra time, but Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes missed in the penalty shootout, handing PSG back-to-back European crowns. Kai Havertz had given Arsenal an early lead before Ousmane Dembele equalised from the spot for the French side.
This Premier League success comes after three consecutive runner-up finishes for Arsenal, making the celebrations even sweeter.
The parade began shortly after 2:00 pm (1300 GMT), tracing a nine-kilometre (5.6-mile) route near the Emirates Stadium in Islington. Four buses joined the festivities, including one carrying Arsenal Women, fresh from winning the inaugural Women’s Champions Cup in February.
Source: AFP
