Goals from Gabriel Jesus and Noni Maduke ensured we were able to celebrate our Premier League title winner’s party in style.
On the day we were crowned champions at the Palace, Jesus slotted us ahead late in the first half from Gabriel Martinelli’s throughball, and Madueke scored with a crisp finish shortly after the restart.
Jean-Philippe Mateta headed a late consolation for the hosts, but it could not dampen the spirits in the away end. This day was about so much more than the 90 minutes. The Arsenal supporters had arrived at Selhurst Park in party mood, and were determined to celebrate. We have waited 22 long years to get our hands on Premier League silverware again, and be acclaimed as the best team in the land.
So when Martin Odegaard finally held the trophy aloft after the final whistle, it sparked scenes of jubilation that were replicated by Gooners across the world.
GABBY’S EARLY CHANCES
After taking to the field to a guard of honour from the hosts, captain for the day Jesus had our first chance after just five minutes. Getting the ball under control inside the area, he stroked his low shot beyond Dean Henderson, but it struck the foot of the post. Noni Madueke’s follow up was easily gathered by the goalkeeper.
Jesus had an even better chance soon afterwards. He ran on to a fine Madueke throughball to beat the offside trap, and had plenty of time to think about his finish, but Henderson spread himself well to deny him.
As expected, and with an eye on the Champions League final, the boss made nine changes to the side for the game, including bringing in Kepa Arrizabalaga for his first Premier League appearance for us, therefore earning him a medal. And the keeper was called into action when Daniel Munoz got in front of his marker to head a left wing cross goalwards. Arrizabalaga sprung to his wide and pushed the attempt wide for a corner.
Among the team changes Mikel Arteta also brought in Martin Zubimendi to play at right back – it means the Spaniard featured in all 38 league games in his debut season.
GOALS EITHER SIDE OF HALF TIME
The game was being played in beautifully sunny conditions, befitting the mood. But the contest itself had struggled to spark into life on the pitch.
With nothing at stake, that was perhaps to be expected. For the hosts, it was Oliver Glasner’s last game in charge before they head to the UEFA Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig on Wednesday.
Just before half-time though we got the party started properly, as Jesus finally beat Henderson. This time his compatriot Gabriel Martinelli set him up with an incisive throughball, and our No. 9 struck sweetly inside the near post to put us ahead.
It was the striker’s sixth goal against the Eagles in his past four meetings with them.
Just after the restart Madueke doubled the advantage. It came from a left-wing corner, which was sent deep to Kai Havertz to head back into the mix. Madueke met it sweetly on the volley from 15 yards to find the bottom corner.
MERINO’S RETURN
After four months out with injury, Mikel Merino made his return midway through the second half, and Eberechi Eze was also introduced to a fantastic reception at his former home.
Merino missed a good chance in front of goal as we went hunting for the third in the sweltering conditions, and late on the hosts pulled one back. Mateta rose highest to head in beyond Arrizabalaga and deny us a 20th clean sheet of the league season.
They had the ball in the net again in injury-time though Yeremy Pino, but it was ruled out for offside.
Eze nearly sealed the right at the death, but his shot at close range was kept out by Henderson. It didn’t matter, we had done enough to sign off with another win. So our final record reads P38 W26 D7 L5 F71 A26 Pts85. It’s official – Arsenal are Premier League champions. Let the celebrations commence – again!
WHAT’S NEXT
The Premier League 2025/26 campaign is in the books, but we have got one game left this season, and it’s the big one. We will face Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final at the Puskas Arena, Budapest on Saturday, May 30 – with a 5pm kick-off (UK time). It’s our first appearance in the final since 2006, as we bid to become European champions for the first time in our history, and cap a memorable season in the best way possible.
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