Arsenal’s 20-year title drought ended in emphatic fashion on Saturday as they clinched the Premier League crown with a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. The Gunners, managed by Mikel Arteta, lifted the trophy just 12 minutes after full-time, sparking wild celebrations among the 25,800-strong home crowd.
The decisive moment came in the 88th minute when Declan Rice curled a 25-yard strike into the top corner, sealing the victory and the championship. Kai Havertz added a late header to make the scoreline 2-1, though Palace pulled one back through Odsonne Édouard in stoppage time.
Key Moments
- ⏱️ **88th minute** — Declan Rice’s 25-yard winner secures the title
- 🎯 **Kai Havertz** — Headed Arsenal’s second goal in added time
- 🏆 **25,800 fans** — Record attendance as Arsenal celebrated at Selhurst Park
Arsenal’s triumph came after a season of relentless consistency, losing just three league games all campaign. They finished with 91 points, four clear of second-placed Liverpool, who were held to a 1-1 draw at Manchester United. Manchester City, without a trophy for the first time since 2013, finished third.
💡 Pro Tip
Mikel Arteta’s emphasis on defensive solidity and midfield control proved decisive—teams seeking to dethrone the Gunners next season should take note.
The title was confirmed with two games to spare, a rare feat in the modern Premier League. Arsenal’s last league triumph in 2006 remains their most recent major domestic honour, with their subsequent FA Cup wins in 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2020 the only silverware since.
| Season | Title | Manager |
|---|---|---|
| 2003-04 | Premier League (Invincibles) | Arsène Wenger |
| 2005-06 | Premier League | Arsène Wenger |
| 2025-26 | Premier League | Mikel Arteta |
Arsenal’s triumph was met with immediate praise from across the football world. Former manager Arsène Wenger, whose Invincibles side went unbeaten in 2003-04, called it “a historic day for the club.” Pep Guardiola, whose City side were dethroned, admitted Arsenal had been the deserved winners.
📋 By The Numbers
- 91 points — Arsenal’s final tally, four ahead of Liverpool
- 3 league losses — Their fewest in a single top-flight season
- 25-yard strike — Declan Rice’s winner was Arsenal’s longest-range goal in 2025-26
For the players, the moment was one of redemption after years of near-misses. Bukayo Saka, named Player of the Season, broke down in tears as he lifted the trophy alongside Arteta. “We’ve dreamed of this our whole lives,” he said post-match. “To do it with this group, in this way—it’s unreal.”
- 🔍 **Arteta’s rebuild** — The Spaniard took over in 2019 and has now delivered Arsenal’s first title since the Wenger era
- 📊 **Defensive record** — Arsenal conceded just 29 goals, the fewest in the league
- ⚠️ **Late scare** — Palace’s stoppage-time goal nearly sparked a dramatic collapse
With the trophy in hand, Arsenal now turn their attention to the Champions League, where they will face Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals. The club’s hierarchy has already hinted at further investment to build on this success, with reports suggesting a £150 million war chest for the summer transfer window.