Arsenal lifted the Premier League trophy for the first time in 22 years after a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
The Gunners, confirmed as champions on Tuesday, finished a historic campaign on a high thanks to goals from Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke either side of half-time against the Eagles.
Jean-Philippe Mateta pulled a goal back but Arsenal held on to finish on 85 points, seven clear of Manchester City, who were beaten by Aston Villa in Pep Guardiola’s final game in charge.
The victory was followed by jubilant celebrations led by captain Martin Odegaard, who lifted the trophy in front of the travelling fans inside Selhurst Park after the final whistle.
Arsenal fans had the last laugh on their title rivals with Man City-branded bottles
Both Mikel Arteta and Oliver Glasner had named rotated teams at Selhurst Park ahead of their upcoming European finals, with Max Dowman one of nine Arsenal changes as he became the youngest starter in Premier League history aged 16 and 144 days.
Dowman had a hand in Arsenal’s opener when his first-time flick allowed Gabriel Martinelli to play in Jesus, who finished clinically at Dean Henderson’s near post having missed earlier chances.
Arsenal’s second goal was their record 19th of the season from a corner as substitute Kai Havertz headed a deep delivery back across goal for Madueke to volley home through a crowd of bodies.
Also Read: West Ham, Arsenal crunch may decide EPL
Palace thought they had salvaged a draw late on when Yeremy Pino fired home having crossed for Mateta’s goal moments earlier, but it was ruled out due to an offside against Evann Guessand.
That reprieve ensured the champions could celebrate their first title win since the 2003/04 campaign with a 26th Premier League victory of an unforgettable season for the club.
The Gunners received a boost for Saturday’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, with Mikel Merino appearing as a substitute having recovered from a foot injury, but there was a scare for Palace before their Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano as Adam Wharton was forced off with an issue.
Both sides will now hope to follow up their Premier League campaigns by making history on the European stage.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to Sky Sports: “The fans have been waiting for this for so long.
“We have had some difficult moments along the way but all of them are worth it when you see that kind of reaction.
“Now is the time to enjoy this, to take the manager hat off and enjoy with them.
“We showed an incredible connection, an incredible commitment and incredible courage as well.
“Everything around us was fuel for the desire to go and do it.
“There are doubts and the understanding that maybe you are not the right person.
“But thanks to God that we have done it. I feel a lot of joy and a lot of relief as well.”
Odegaard: We overcame doubt and fear
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard to Sky Sports: “Honestly, I can’t describe it. It was so special.
“A lot of emotions and a lot of hard work behind it. So emotional, but a beautiful day and an amazing achievement.
“You always have the doubt and the fear that you’re not going to make it but we had that belief in ourselves and even in the toughest moments this season we really stuck together.
“We had that belief. We just kept on fighting and we got there in the end, so even better like that.
“There were moments in the season where we felt really down and really angry and really frustrated. You say the Bournemouth game, the Wolves game as well. There were some really tough moments for us.
“The key was how we reacted. After those games we spoke as a team. Everybody spoke up. We said what we felt. It was really honest.
“I think the way we reacted to every setback has been absolutely amazing.”
Arsenal scored 19 goals from corners in the Premier League this season, the most of any side in a single campaign in the competition’s history.
Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi became just the second player to win the title and play every game in his first season in the Premier League after Jens Lehmann in 2003/04.
Arsenal have become the first side in Premier League history to neither concede a penalty or receive a red card in a single campaign.
Arsenal face Paris Saint Germain in the final of the Champions League on Saturday in Budapest, kick-off 5pm.
