Arsenal

A moment Arsenal supporters have waited 22 years for... your 2025-26 Premier League champions!

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

This match against Crystal Palace was always going to be a celebration for Arsenal after ending their 22-year wait for a Premier League title.

And with that piece of silverware secured, Mikel Arteta heavily rotated his side, with his main focus on the Champions League final against Paris-St Germain in a week's time.

Supporters had queued outside of the stadium more than three hours before kick-off to see their heroes get off the team bus and chant about being "champions of England".

Arsenal, although at times functional this season, have made the big step to become winners and, after three second-place finishes, they have a huge opportunity to start a period of dominance in the league.

And, for their consistency, the Gunners deservedly finish seven points clear of second-placed Manchester City, who lost at home to Europa League winners Aston Villa in Pep Guardiola's final match in charge.

Mikel Arteta said before the game that his team now have to "wear the shirt in a different way" after becoming champions and the manager, who always has such high standards, will hope this win will be the start of a more sustained period of success.

A first Premier League title in more than 20 years was already sealed for Arsenal, and they can now finally get their hands on the trophy after signing off with a win at Crystal Palace.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know how you are feeling.

Get in touch with your views here

Come back to this page for a selection of your replies - reaction and analysis to follow shortly

Oliver Glasner has made it clear that he would be resting and rotating his key players with focus turning to the Conference League final next week.

Regular starters Lacroix, Mitchell, Mateta, Wharton and Canvot are all on the bench.

Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Munoz, Clyne, Lerma, Riad, Cardines, Hughes, Kamada, Devenny, Sarr, Strand Larsen.

Subs: Benitez, Lacroix, Mitchell, Pino, Johnson, Mateta, Wharton, Canvot, Guessand.

With the Premier League title already in the bag, Mikel Arteta has also made a raft of changes for this match with Palace.

Christian Norgaard makes his first start in the Premier League this season while 16-year-old Max Dowman is handed a start and becomes the youngest ever player to start a Premier League match (16y 144d).

Arsenal XI: Arrizabalaga, Zubimendi, Mosquera, Hincapie, Calafiori, Norgaard, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman, Madueke, Martinelli, Jesus.

Subs: Setford, Gyokeres, Gabriel, Saka, Odegaard, Eze, Merino, Havertz, Rice.

It is the last day of the Premier League, every side is in action this Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Brighton v Manchester United - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3

• Burnley v Wolves

• Crystal Palace v Arsenal - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Fulham v Newcastle

• Liverpool v Brentford

• Manchester City v Aston Villa

• Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth

• Sunderland v Chelsea

• Tottenham v Everton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• West Ham v Leeds - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Kick-off times 16:00 BST

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Tottenham v Everton" or "ask BBC Sounds to play West Ham v Leeds", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal's last game of the season could have been a tense occasion had they not secured the title before the match with Crystal Palace.

However, now they are confirmed Premier League champions it's a day of celebration for Mikel Arteta and his players.

Before the match, much of the talk was that Oliver Glasner could have had an impact on the title race with the Eagles in the Conference League final next Wednesday.

But with Arsenal in a party mood both sides could field weakened teams with the Gunners focusing on their Champions League final against Paris St-Germain.

Mikel Merino has battled back from a foot problem which has kept him out since January and could use some minutes if he is to be an option for the showpiece against PSG in Budapest on 30 May.

Arteta will want to avoid injury for that game and could give Christian Norgaard his first start of the season and rest Declan Rice.

Supporters will be clamouring for tickets to see their side lift the Premier League trophy at Selhurst Park and while the day will live long in the memory, Arteta will already be plotting how he can secure his second trophy.

And with a parade planned for 31 May, the celebrations are just getting going for Arsenal.

Laura Kirk-Francis
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

It has felt like there have been two weights lifted off me in the past few days. The first is Arsenal's Premier League title win and the other is news that Guardiola is leaving. My nightmare is over.

I would like to first thank Guardiola for remaining at the club long enough for Arsenal to finally triumph over him, as it makes the victory so much sweeter.

His Manchester City side have caused me so much grief, especially over the past few seasons, that I am celebrating his departure.

I am self-aware enough to realise that a lot of my negativity towards Guardiola is purely jealousy. Jealousy at the juggernaut he has created that, up until this week, nearly always had the beating of Arsenal. Jealousy at the winning mentality he seems to instil in every one of his sides.

At times, his City sides have been a painful reminder of quite how far Arsenal were from winning anything.

In time, I might be able to look back and appreciate the magnitude of his achievements, but so many of them have come at the expense of my beloved Arsenal that it is still too raw at the moment. And if I sound bitter, it is because I am.

It is hard to imagine a league without Guardiola. His departure leaves a vacuum for another side to fill with their own domination. I very much hope that side are Arsenal.

Find more from Laura Kirk-Francis at the Latte Firm podcast, external

The problem with predicting a game like this is that both sides are understandably going to make a lot of changes with European finals coming up in the next few days.

With the Premier League title won, why wouldn't Mikel Arteta rest a load of players before his side face Paris St-Germain next weekend?

The same applies to Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner with his side playing Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday.

So, it is going to be Palace reserves versus Arsenal reserves - and some of the Gunners players may still have a hangover.

I understand why they wanted to enjoy themselves. I know Alan Shearer famously said he would be celebrating by "creosoting the fence" when we won the title with Blackburn in 1995, but he was the only one of us who went to bed early that night.

I am still going to go for an Arsenal win, though, and by their favourite scoreline too - the same one as their past three victories.

That was how they got over the line and it won't change now.

Sutton's prediction: 0-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Chris Adams
BBC Sport journalist

Crystal Palace host Premier League champions Arsenal in a London derby at Selhurst Park on Sunday with both teams looking forward to a European final next week.

Palace head coach Oliver Glasner may elect to ring the changes ahead of their Conference League decider against Rayo Vallecano next Wednesday.

The Eagles are winless in their past six league games, although their safety has been guaranteed for a couple of weeks now, allowing them to look forward to the trip to Leipzig, where they will aim to lift European silverware for the first time in the club's history.

Sarr stars for Palace

Ismaila Sarr, who has been named in Senegal's World Cup squad, has scored eight goals in his last eight starts for Palace in all competitions, netting in each of his last four, including both legs of the Conference League semi-final against Shakhtar Donetsk.

Since their return to the top-flight in 2013, the only player to score in five consecutive starts for the Eagles is Eberechi Eze – now of Sunday's opponents Arsenal – in April-May last year.

Sarr's 21 goals in all competitions this season are the joint-most by any Palace player in a single campaign as a Premier League club, equalling Andrew Johnson's tally from 2004-05.

Palace enter the game in 15th position, having struggled through a winter in which Glasner announced he would leave at the end of the season. The Austrian will hope his final game at Selhurst Park is a positive affair.

History suggests it could well be. Palace have never lost when playing their final Premier League match of the season at home (won eight, drawn four), most recently beating Aston Villa 5-0 in 2023-24.

Arsenal gunning for more glory

Arsenal fans will cross the River Thames in party mode to watch their team be presented with the Premier League trophy for the first time since 2004.

Mikel Arteta, like his opposite number, could choose to rest some key players ahead of next Saturday's mouth-watering Champions League decider against Paris Saint-Germain.

There has been much praise this week for the Arsenal's board's persistence with Arteta. The Spaniard has overcome an unconvincing start to life in his first managerial job to turn his team into consistent title contenders.

It's no secret that the Gunners' current success has been built on the league's best defence. They've conceded just 26 goals, owing to commanding displays from the likes of Gabriel, William Saliba and goalkeeper David Raya, one of just six top flight players to have played every minute of the campaign so far.

Arsenal won the reverse fixture 1-0 at Emirates Stadium in October, one of 29 victories without conceding across all competitions this season – another clean sheet would equal the club record of 30 from 1970-71 when the legendary Bertie Mee was in charge.

Remarkably, there have been six different league games this season in which Arsenal haven't faced a shot on target, the joint-most by a side in a single campaign since such record began in 2003-04.

Typically, the last day of the season is a fruitful one for the Gunners. Arsenal have won their final Premier League game 24 times – more often than any other side. That's been the case in each of the last 14 years, their last defeat coming in a 2-1 reverse at Birmingham City in 2004-05.

Similarly, Gabriel Jesus seems to thrive at this time of year. The Brazil forward has been involved in seven goals in his team's final league game of the season (five goals, two assists), boasting the most matchday-38 goals and goal involvements of any current player in the division.

The latest news and views on the Gunners in two minutes, every weekday afternoon.

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Jurrien Timber says "there is hope" that he could be available in time for Arsenal's Champions League final against Paris St-Germain on 30 May.

The right-back has not featured for the Premier League champions since March, with Ben White and Cristhian Mosquera stepping in throughout his absence.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was asked about Timber's progress in his pre-match news conference, and he replied: "He is a little bit behind Mikel [Merino] at the moment."

The 24-year-old has also discussed his return from injury, though, adding: "It has been a bit slower than expected but I have worked really hard to come back [before the end of the season] so let's see - hopefully.

"I'm working really hard and I'm training really hard.

"Obviously, playing in the Champions League final and the World Cup is a dream, so I will give everything - but obviously the Champions League final is first up. It is going to be amazing anyway.

"It is never easy to be injured, especially during these kinds of moments. It makes it even harder, but my team-mates have been very supportive towards me. We try to be there for each other. They are there for me, I am there for them."

When asked if becoming a Premier League champion has sunk in yet, Timber admitted: "No, not yet. It is almost a bit strange still, but I can tell you we enjoyed it.

"With the fans, and with everyone here as well, the feeling was relief and just the enjoyment of being champions. I think that is the most beautiful thing."

On boss Arteta, the Netherlands international added: "He is the perfect example of building a club towards where it is now. He makes every player better. He has built one of the best teams in the world, I think I can say that now.

"He is one of the best managers there is. He has been so good to me, personally. He has always given me so much confidence and he has made me a lot better as well.

"I'm thankful to him and I'm excited for what is ahead as well."

Image source, Getty Images

Mikel Merino hopes to be back in action when Arsenal take on Crystal Palace on Sunday after overcoming a confusing foot injury.

The Spanish midfielder has not featured since January and needed both surgery and extensive rehab on the issue.

"It's a stress fracture in a very strange part of the foot where not even the specialists had seen before," he explained.

"It was a weird one. At the beginning I was a little scared, I'm not going to lie. I didn't know examples, we didn't have them from other people that had done the same injury. We didn't know what to expect.

"The first couple of weeks were tough. I tried to crack on with it, have the right mentality, be positive and with the right motivation to try to go forward. Everything has gone perfectly since."

Merino, 29, says the foot is no longer on his mind and he has resumed training with his team-mates. He insists he is "fit" and "ready to go".

During his recovery he revealed he needed use of a mobility scooter and that parts of the recovery process were "very hard" mentally.

he explained: "With the mobility scooter it's just trying to bring fun out of it, see the sun. I couldn't walk for two months. It's a hard time on crutches. The mobility scooter was a fun way to see the light of day and enjoy time with the dog.

"My feeling was I was playing through pain for a little bit but I wasn't expecting that a big fracture was going to happen there. When I got the news and they said I was going to be out around five months, I could only think about missing the World Cup, missing the end of the season with my team and not being able to help them. I was devastated at the time. It took me a couple of days to recover from it.

"I had two options, to go down and cry myself to extinction or keep my head up, be positive and try to use my time to improve other aspects. Working as hard as I can is the way I approach life."

Thomas Tuchel has named his 26-man squad to represent England at the 2026 World Cup hosted in Canada, Mexico and the United States:

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), James Trafford (Manchester City)

Defenders: Reece James (Chelsea), Tino Livramento (Newcastle), Marc Guehi (Manchester City), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), John Stones (Manchester City), Jarrell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen - loan), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Dan Burn (Newcastle), Djed Spence (Tottenham)

Midfielders: Declan Rice (Arsenal), Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal)

Forwards: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona - loan), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle)

Alex Scott (Bournemouth), Rio Ngumoha (Liverpool), Josh King (Fulham) and Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal) will also be part of the Three Lions' pre-tournament squad in Florida when they face New Zealand and Costa Rica.

The England boss added that one more player will also join his squad in Florida, but did not name the individual.

Tuchel said Bournemouth's Scott had an "outstanding" reaction to not being named in the 26-man squad.

"The commitment, the wish to be in pre-camp and just be a step closer to the team, was not even a question to him. This showed me his character and spirit. He gets a chance to take a step closer and to get a cap," added Tuchel.

Tuchel on his 26-man squad: "An exciting day for me and I think for everyone selected. From day one we were very clear that we were trying to build and select the best possible team, which is not necessarily to select and collect 26 of the most talented players. Teams win championships – it is as simple as that.

"What we're trying to achieve in the summer can only be achieved as a team. That in mind, we chose a very balanced squad. We chose three goalkeepers, plus Jason Steele (as training goalkeeper). I want to take the opportunity, and thank Jason for being brilliant, and thank Brighton for being so cooperative.

"We chose nine defenders for four positions, we chose seven midfielders for three positions, and we chose seven strikers for three positions.

"I can assure every fan in the country that we have 26 100% committed players with us. Who know their role, who are ready to buy into their role on and off the pitch and who are ready and committed to the idea of team spirit and being unselfish."

Follow reaction to Tuchel's England squad announcement here

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Lewis Hamilton says he "shed a tear" when Arsenal became Premier League champions on Tuesday.

And after ending a 22-year-wait for the title, the British Formula 1 driver believes Mikel Arteta's side can go from "strength to strength from here".

"Like everyone, [I was] very emotional," Hamilton said. "We have had so many close moments and to finally get it was like 'wow'.

"A lot of emotion came out for me and I'm sure for a lot of people.

"I'm so happy and proud of the team. Obviously, Arsene [Wenger] was great. I think the direction they have gone in the past couple of years has been fantastic.

"Very inspired by what they have done."

On his journey into supporting Arsenal: "I was five years old and I used to play round Stevenage way, round the corner with friends. I was the only black kid in the area out of the kids I was playing with and I was trying to fit in.

"Everyone supported different teams – West Ham, Tottenham, Manchester United... I was bouncing around all these teams when I was like four or five years old depending on who I was with.

"I remember my sister – I messaged her the other day – she was walking me home and asked me who I supported and then gave me a dig in my arm and said: 'We have to support Arsenal.'

"We had a laugh yesterday about it."

Chelsea have joined Arsenal in the race for Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi, but the Cherries insist the 19-year-old is not for sale. (Mail), external

Arsenal and Juventus are monitoring 27-year-old Manchester City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, with the Netherlands international having limited playing time since his arrival last summer. (Teamtalk), external

Inter Milan are considering making a move for 31-year-old Arsenal and Spain goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. (Gazzetta - in Italian), external

Arsenal's 24-year-old defender Jurrien Timber is set to be rewarded with a new contract by the club. (Caught Offside), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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Mikel Arteta says Arsenal "want to have the parade with two trophies" after securing their first Premier League title in 22 years.

The club have confirmed a trophy parade on Sunday, 31 May - the day after they face Paris St-Germain in the Champions league final.

Asked whether the title win has eased the pressure on his team going into that match in Budapest, Gunners boss Arteta said: "I think so. It's a lot of emotion - joy, happiness, being proud - and as well it is a relief.

"When you see so many people waiting for something to happen for so long and you actually achieve it, everything we have done is worth it and now we need to sustain that energy.

"We had so many injuries to big players throughout the season. We had to find ways to win a lot of games and achieve with the team that we had."

After building for six-and-a-half years under the Spaniard, Arsenal have the opportunity to end this campaign in historic fashion by also winning the club's first ever Champions League.

"Now we have to show we have the ambition, the quality and the consistency to do that," Arteta added.

"That is going to be the next step.

"We want to have the parade with two big trophies!"

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Sunday's final Premier League game of the season, against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park (16:00 BST).

It is also the first time he has spoken since Manchester City's draw at Bournemouth on Tuesday confirmed the Gunners as Premier League winners.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Asked how it sounds to be able to say Arsenal are Premier League champions, the Spaniard said: "It's incredible to hear those words, especially when you consider the journey they've been on, the manner that we've done it, and how many people have been involved and waiting so long to complete that goal."

• Arteta was asked to summarise how he experienced Tuesday evening: "You don't realise it. It's one of the best feelings I've ever had. I was supposed to be here at Colney watching the game with the boys but I couldn't. I had to leave, I couldn't bring the energy that I wanted. I think it was the moment to watch it together themselves. I went home, I went out to the garden, did a barbecue and didn't watch any of it. I heard some noises from the living room and suddenly the magic happened. It was beautiful to see the joy on my family's faces."

• More on the players watching the game together and the celebrations that followed: "It was the team's moment. They had to be themselves. If I'm there, I don't think it would have been the same. I think they enjoyed it. We had our moment together a few hours later in London."

• On the challenge posed by City and Guardiola: "They have been a huge part of the journey and Pep has been a huge part of the journey. I started my coaching career with him. They continue to raise the standards to crazy levels in the league. We are obligated to raise those levels and those standards to better than this. This time, thankfully, we managed to win it."

• On the scenes of celebration outside Emirates Stadium on Tuesday: "It was an emotional explosion because everyone has been keeping those emotions and not been quite able to really express them. When we opened that bottle, I think everybody had so much to feel and it was incredible to witness."

• Asked if he had spoken to Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola to thank him, Arteta said: "I called him yesterday to congratulate him for the incredible job he has done with Bournemouth. I said you almost took the Premier League away from us and now you help us to win it! A quick call to say thank you, show my admiration towards him and wish him best for the next step in his career."

• On who has called him since winning the title: "Your phone is a bit different when you finish second and when you win it! That's sport. It's a big lesson in life as well because the margins are so small - it can go either way. When you accomplish it, you realise how immense it is, how big it is for so many people. All of the things I have seen from our supporters in different countries is so good."

• Arteta provided a fitness update on Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber: "Mikel is going to start to train with the group tomorrow - today he's done a little bit. It was just a light session. Let's hope Jurrien can do the same in the next couple of days, but he is a little bit behind Mikel at the moment."

Listen to live commentary of Crystal Palace v Arsenal on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2 and BBC Sounds

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Got a question about Arsenal? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

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We asked for your messages to Mikel Arteta. If you had two minutes to speak to the man who has taken you back to glory, what would you say?

Here are some of your comments:

Joel: Mikel Arteta, you forever changed our lives. I remember going to school after the 10-2 aggregate defeat by Bayern Munich in 2014, and nobody let me live it down, one of the worst days of my life. Now my little brother can rock up at school as a Premier League champion. That's the difference. It's all down to you. You raised the standards.

Rachel: Thank you, Mikel, for the faith. You believed when we didn't. You asked us to trust in the process. We wavered. You asked for noise and support. We thought it would be another bottle job. You defended your players. We thought they lacked conviction. You were right. We were wrong. We're so fortunate that you are our leader. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Meer: A 30th birthday present six months early! And 22 years since Arsene Wenger's own reign included a title win - serendipitous and magical! A moment to savour for generations to come. Congratulations on your first Premier League trophy as Arsenal manager, Mikel!

Luke: I'm so happy. I was a child in 2004, and now I'm almost 30 and Arsenal are league champions once again, full of joy and tears of joy. Thank you to the team and thank you, Arteta.

Image source, Getty Images

Stuart: Mikel. God bless you, mate. The passion, courage and personal sacrifice you have exhibited over the past six years have been immense. You have assembled and motivated a team of players and staff who have lifted our beloved Arsenal back into the stratosphere - where we belong. On behalf of all us far-flung Gooners, thank you, and thanks also to your family. We love you.

Patrick: Damn you, Mikel, since I first watched Charlie George score that goal against Liverpool to win the FA Cup and secure the Double all those years ago, I have loved this club. The magic moments since, like the Rix cross after Liam Brady carved up Wembley in the last minutes of that epic encounter only for Alan Sunderland to magically end it and the incredible 'Invincibles' guided by a gentleman. Tears and jubilation were the net result. I can honestly say the only time I openly wept more than last night was when 'Rocky' slipped away. Arsenal is the most wonderful football club and long may it remain the fabric of our lives. Thank you, sir.

Tony: Thanks for staying true to your beliefs. It had to be difficult with the constant attacks from ex-players on social and mainstream media. They were afraid if you won this season you would go on to emulate the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola. Now their greatest fears are about to come true.

Keir: Congratulations, Mikel, I'd like to applaud your bravery, your spirit, your determination and your unique nature, not to mention your love for the game, your intelligence and your sense of humour. You fully deserve this success and all the plaudits. Now let's go get that European Cup! Vamos!