Thousands of Arsenal supporters flooded the streets of North London late on Tuesday, setting off fireworks and flares outside the Emirates Stadium as the club’s first Premier League title in 22 years sank in.
Arsenal were confirmed as champions without kicking a ball after second-placed Manchester City drew 1-1 at Bournemouth. The players, who had gathered at the club’s training ground an hour north of London to watch the match, were caught on video leaping and embracing one another the moment the result was confirmed.
In London, fans streamed out of pubs and homes and converged on the Emirates, filling the streets with chants of “Champions! Champions! Ole! Ole! Ole!”
“Words can’t describe it, we’ve been waiting 22 years for this. It’s unbelievable,” one supporter told Reuters TV. “Bournemouth did us a massive favour today, they played so well. And we’re deserved champions, so, happy days.”
Arsenal legend Ian Wright joined the celebrations outside the ground and was mobbed by supporters singing his name. Wright, who scored 185 goals for the club during the 1990s, said he had rushed straight to the Emirates after the result came through.
“I was absolutely over the moon,” Wright told Premier League Productions. “I got in the cab, got my Mrs and my girls in the cab and I said, ‘We’re going down there, let’s go down to the Emirates.'”
“It’s amazing, honestly, and this club deserves it. Our fans deserve it all, around the world and everybody, we deserve this, man.”
Arsenal conclude their Premier League campaign with a trip to Crystal Palace on Sunday before turning their attention to the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest on 30 May.
(Reuters)
