Remember when Arsenal won the league at the Lane and the Spurs fans were celebrating a draw? I didn't think they could get lower, now they're celebrating escaping relegation while Arsenal celebrate winning the league. Brutal. It's the history of Tottenham.
How privileged are we, that we are celebrating the Premier League title and have a Champions League final next week still to look forward to. Absolutely mental!
This has arguably been the hardest Premier League to win. Previous champions spending £400m in the summer. Pep buying two of the best players in the league in January. Three teams making European finals. A CL team in 17th. Fewest points between 1st and 18th in over a decade.
Arsenal are Premier League champions and they thoroughly deserve to be. They’ve waited so long for this, they’ve worked so hard for this, withstood so much frustration and so many jibes. They’ve put up with 22 years of title hurt, going close, drifting back, fighting back, building the squad, building the team, building the momentum. Believing in the process, believing in Mikel Arteta. And now, to the Gunners, the glory.
So much praise is due Arteta, for gradually shaping this team, for turning them into champions. The football his team plays is not the most breath-taking Arsenal have ever produced, certainly not in the creative class of Arsene Wenger’s champions. Arsenal need to become more expansive. Arteta's artists, one day. It’s not been a great season in the league for quality but it’s certainly been good for the league to have different champions for a change.
For Arsenal, this was about getting over the line and, helped by Nicolas Jover’s honours degree in the set-piece arts from the college of cunning, they did. They also got away with plenty of grappling in getting their grip on the title trophy. Manchester City, a more attractive side, pushed them close but Arsenal showed their resilience. One-nil to the mindset.
And glory for Declan Rice, the best player in the Premier League, the player who defined the destiny of the title with his driving runs, leadership without needing the armband, shielding the back-four, covering back, and also starting attacks from the back. Rice received this reporter's vote for FWA Footballer of the Year, and last night's immense display against Burnley showed why. This title win showed why. The game is about glory.
Glory, too, for Arsenal’s strong spine of David Raya, Gabriel, Rice and Viktor Gyokeres. Glory for Hale End, producing so much talent, not least the wonderful Bukayo Saka. And credit to the Arsenal board who backed Arteta when so many questioned him. Backed him with words of support. Backed him with players, and with time and patience.
And, finally, joy to the fans. When Arteta called on them to greet the coach, to raise the roof, to carry the team home, they delivered. A party 22 years in the making has now broken out, Arsenal fans taking to the streets around the Emirates to celebrate. They are worthy champions. #AFC
For everyone who suffered through 8-2.
For everyone who half 6 at Stamford Bridge in Wenger’s 1,000th game.
For everyone who suffered through Baku.
For everyone who had to go to school after conceding 10 to Bayern.
Today is for you. Drink it all in. We deserve this.
I love this club. 22 years we have waited. Enjoy it until your hearts are full. This fanbase is family to me. So so proud of Arteta and the squad. We have done it.
Champions of England.
I promise you this is only the start for this beautiful institution.
COYG 😭❤️
🗣️ "It's killing the game, it's like watching non league"
"It's all down to Arsenal, they killed the Premier League in terms of fluid football"
Jamie O'Hara is not a fan of long throws.