Arsenal Premier League champions: 22 years of waiting

There are dates that are etched into a club's collective memory. For Arsenal FC, 19 May 2026 will be one of them. It wasn't a 90th-minute screamer. It wasn't an epic comeback. It was Manchester City drawing 1-1 with Bournemouth, 200 kilometres away, that sparked absolute scenes at the Emirates Stadium.

22 years. That's how long Arsenal fans had to wait to see their side lift the Premier League trophy again. The last time was in the 2003/04 season, that Invincibles campaign, when Thierry Henry was a Greek god in football boots and Patrick Vieira could intimidate you with just a stare.

Three consecutive runners-up finishes under Arteta were beginning to take their toll. The criticism grew louder every May. But the Basque coach—from Vitoria—patiently built one of Europe's most balanced squads. This season, 82 points. Manchester City four points back.

The scene in the dressing room, players in tears singing while watching the City match on the telly, is already modern football history. Arsenal, 14-time English top-flight champions. Third in the all-time rankings.

Frequently asked questions