Arsenal have lifted the Premier League trophy – the ceremonial end to their 22-wait for an English league title after a final-day win away at Crystal Palace.
Ian Wright called the scenes ‘special’ as captain Martin Odegaard got the party started, holding the trophy aloft to the cheers of Declan Rice, Mikel Arteta and Co – and 3,000 Arsenal fans packed into a corner of Selhurst Park.
The Gunners shut out a late Crystal Palace comeback as their minds shifted to lifting the club’s first Premier League title in 22 years.
Gabriel Jesus‘ goal on 42 minutes, sneaking the ball past goalkeeper Dean Henderson‘s near post, had set the Gunners on their way in a match laced with sheer dominance.
Max Dowman provided a sumptuous backheel flick in the build-up the Brazilian’s goal on a historic personal afternoon for the 16-year-old.
He became the youngest starter in the league’s history, aged 16 years, 144 days, and showed glimpses of just why Mikel Arteta had trusted him; Dowman will no doubt achieve further prominence next season.
Arsenal lift the Premier League trophy after topping the table at the end of a remarkable season
Upon going a goal up, Arsenal found themselves in the attacking third with Jesus having squandered three chances in the first half an hour.
From there, Noni Madueke put the visitors 2-0 up, volleying Kai Havertz‘s header, from a corner, into the net. That was Arsenal’s 19th league goal from a corner in the league this season, a fruitful avenue which has gone someway to getting Arteta’s side over the line this season.
Palace mounted a fight back late on, buoyed on by the desire to give the departing Oliver Glasner the send-off he deserved.
Jean-Philippe Mateta headed home Yeremy Pino’s cross on 89 minutes to ignite hope – before Pino thought he struck an equaliser in injury time to send the crowd into delirium.
The VAR had spotted Evann Guessand in an offside position, the ball brushing off and into the goal.
So no draw, and Arsenal end the season in the fashion they started it – winning.
