LONDON — Thousands of Arsenal supporters lined the streets of north London on Sunday, turning the area around the Emirates Stadium into a sea of red as the club celebrated its first Premier League title in 22 years with a jubilant trophy parade.
The scenes came less than 24 hours after the Gunners’ agonizing defeat in the UEFA Champions League final, where Paris Saint-Germain prevailed 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in Budapest. Despite the disappointment, fans roared with pride as the team returned home, filling the air with chants, flares, and red smoke.
Declan Rice, who lost his voice during the celebrations after rapping Vanilla Ice’s Ice Ice Baby and leading chants of “set-piece ole ole ole,” vowed Arsenal would be “coming back for more” next season. “Seeing the joy we can give people is crazy,” Rice said. “But next year we’re coming back for more. Get locked in or get locked out.”
Goalkeeper David Raya, who claimed the Premier League Golden Glove for the third time, praised his teammates: “I trust every single player on this team and they make my life much easier. Throughout this season we defended very well and that helped us achieve what we have achieved.”
Young midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly reflected on the Champions League defeat, saying: “It’s disappointing because when you’re so close to a dream and you fall slightly short. It’s added fuel to the fire, we’ll use that for us.”
Arsenal’s women’s team also joined the parade, celebrating their own recent triumphs, including last year’s Champions League victory and January’s FIFA Champions Cup win.
The parade wound through Upper Street, Essex Road, and Highbury Corner before returning to the Emirates, where thousands continued to celebrate late into the evening. Fans followed the buses on foot, treating the event like a pilgrimage.
While PSG celebrated their back-to-back European crowns in Paris, marred by clashes and arrests; Arsenal supporters in London showed resilience, turning heartbreak into joy. For many, the day marked not just the end of a 22-year wait for domestic glory, but the beginning of renewed belief that European success may not be far away.
