Joyful scenes erupted at Selhurst Park on Sunday as Arsenal officially celebrated winning the English Premier League title with a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace.
The North London side lifted the Premier League trophy after marking their first match as champions with another impressive performance away from home.
Mikel Arteta and his team secured their first English league crown in 22 years earlier in the week after second-placed Manchester City were held to a draw by Bournemouth.
Playing for the first time since sealing the title, Arsenal took control late in the opening half through a goal from Gabriel Jesus before Noni Madueke added the second after the break.
The victory ensured Arsenal ended the league season with 26 wins from 38 matches.
Since their defeat to Manchester City on April 19 — a result many believed had swung the title race in City’s favour — Arsenal responded brilliantly by winning their final five league games to finish seven points clear of Pep Guardiola’s side.
After the final whistle, attention quickly shifted to the trophy presentation as Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard received the silverware following the medal ceremony for the players and coaching staff.
Red confetti filled the sky while fireworks lit up Selhurst Park as Odegaard lifted the trophy in front of thousands of celebrating Arsenal supporters. The players later sprayed champagne while fans inside the Arthur Wait Stand continued the celebrations.
Arteta was thrown into the air by his players during the festivities, while Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke and his son Josh brought the trophy onto the pitch before the presentation.
The jubilant supporters kept singing throughout the celebrations, waving inflatable trophies and joining the squad in singing the club anthem, ‘North London forever’.
Although the trophy lift happened away from the Emirates Stadium, it did little to reduce the excitement surrounding Arsenal’s title success. The club is expected to continue celebrations with a victory parade in North London on May 31.
Attention will now shift to Arsenal’s bid to complete a historic season by winning the Champions League for the first time when they face Paris Saint-Germain in the final on May 30.
Winning the league title alone was already a major achievement, but lifting the Champions League trophy would make it one of the greatest seasons in Arsenal’s history.
Ahead of the European final in Budapest, Arteta rotated his squad heavily, leaving key players including Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhaes, Eberechi Eze, David Raya and Viktor Gyokeres on the bench.
Teenager Max Dowman also made history after becoming the youngest player to start a Premier League match at 16 years and 144 days, breaking the record previously held by Jose Baxter since 2008.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner also rested several first-team players before the club’s UEFA Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano.
Before kick-off, Palace players formed a guard of honour for the newly crowned champions as Arsenal walked onto the pitch.
Arsenal nearly opened the scoring early in the game on a hot afternoon in south London after Jesus struck the post in the fifth minute before missing another good opportunity moments later.
The Brazilian forward eventually found the breakthrough in the 42nd minute after connecting with a clever pass from Gabriel Martinelli and firing a low effort beyond Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson.