Osayande Ero
For years, Arsenal lived with the burden of “almost.” Almost champions. Almost ready. Almost good enough to finally dethrone the machine that was Manchester City. Three consecutive runner-up finishes had created doubt around Mikel Arteta and his project, with critics questioning whether Arsenal had the mentality to get over the line.
In 2025/26, they answered every question.
Arsenal’s Premier League title win was not built on chaos or luck. It was the result of years of planning, painful lessons, tactical evolution and relentless belief. After a 22-year wait for league glory, the Gunners finally stood alone at the summit of English football again, securing their first title since the legendary “Invincibles” season of 2003/04.
The emotions surrounding the achievement went beyond football. This was a club that had spent years being mocked for collapses, fragile mentality and failing under pressure. Arteta inherited a broken side in 2019, a team drifting away from Europe’s elite and lacking identity. Slowly, brick by brick, he rebuilt Arsenal into champions.
The biggest difference this season was maturity.
Previous Arsenal sides often played beautiful football but struggled when the pressure tightened in April and May. This team learned how to suffer. They learned how to win ugly. Instead of panicking in tense moments, Arsenal became the most controlled and defensively disciplined side in the league. Arsenal conceded only 26 league goals in 37 matches and allowed fewer shots on target than any other team across Europe’s top five leagues.
At the heart of that defensive dominance was the partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães. Calm, aggressive and physically dominant, the duo gave Arsenal the kind of security title-winning teams depend on. Behind them, David Raya produced crucial saves in defining moments, while Declan Rice became the heartbeat of the side with his energy, leadership and consistency.
But Arsenal were far more than just a defensive team.
Arteta’s tactical evolution turned the Gunners into one of the most adaptable sides in Europe. Their pressing was aggressive; their rotations fluid and their set-pieces became devastating weapons. Under specialist coach Nicolas Jover, Arsenal scored a record number of goals from dead-ball situations, overwhelming opponents with movement, timing and physicality.
Corners became a nightmare for opposing defenders. Deliveries from Bukayo Saka and Rice repeatedly created chaos, while Arsenal’s ability to grind out narrow wins gave them a champion’s mentality. Eight different 1-0 victories throughout the season showed a ruthless edge previous Arsenal teams often lacked.
Alongside Rice, captain Martin Ødegaard continued to orchestrate Arsenal’s attack with elegance and creativity, while Saka cemented his place as the face of the club. The academy graduate once again delivered in decisive moments and became symbolic of Arsenal’s rebirth.
That emotional connection between Saka and the fans became even stronger after the title win. Across social media, supporters hailed him as an “undisputed club legend” after helping deliver Arsenal’s first league crown in more than two decades.
The squad’s togetherness was visible immediately after the title was secured. Arsenal players gathered at the training ground to watch Manchester City’s match against Bournemouth, knowing a draw would crown them champions. When the final whistle confirmed the title, wild celebrations erupted.
Videos later emerged of Rice, Saka, Eberechi Eze and Jurrien Timber celebrating outside the Emirates Stadium at nearly 5am alongside supporters who had stayed out all night soaking in the moment.
Arteta’s own reaction perfectly reflected the emotion surrounding the achievement. Rather than nervously watching Manchester City’s game, the Arsenal manager stayed home having a barbecue with his family. It was his son who eventually informed him Arsenal were champions. Arteta later described the moment as “beautiful” and admitted there were periods during the season where even he questioned himself under the pressure of leading the title race.
That honesty resonated deeply with supporters because Arsenal’s journey under Arteta was never smooth. There were years where many fans doubted whether he was truly the man to restore the club to greatness.
Now, those same fans are celebrating him as the architect of one of the club’s greatest modern achievements.
The reactions from notable Arsenal supporters and celebrities captured just how much this title meant beyond football circles. Television presenter and lifelong Arsenal fan Piers Morgan described the triumph as “the greatest emotional release” he had experienced supporting the club since the Invincibles era. Actor Idris Elba posted celebratory messages online praising Arteta for transforming the culture of the club, while rapper Stormzy, another well-known Arsenal supporter, joined thousands celebrating across North London after the title was secured.
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry admitted the achievement felt “special” because of the criticism and pressure the young squad had endured over the past few years. Ian Wright became emotional during post-match coverage, saying he was proud not just of the title itself, but of the resilience the team showed after repeated heartbreak in previous campaigns.
Former manager Arsène Wenger also praised the side, calling the triumph a reward for patience, intelligent recruitment and faith in youth development values that have long been part of Arsenal’s identity.
Online, the celebrations were just as emotional. Videos of supporters crying, singing in packed pubs and flooding the streets around the Emirates quickly went viral. Fans who had spent years being mocked for “bottling” title races finally had their moment.
Some supporters even rushed to tattoo parlours only hours after the title was confirmed, permanently marking the occasion with Arsenal cannons, championship dates and tributes to Arteta.
The celebrations also reflected how much pain Arsenal supporters had endured over the years. Across fan forums and social media, countless supporters admitted they feared the moment would never come after repeated near misses against Manchester City. One fan described the previous years as “absolute torture,” while another simply wrote: “I can’t believe it.”
Nigerian celebrities and football fans were not left out in the victory party. Among the first to react was legendary former Arsenal striker Kanu Nwankwo, who played a major role during the club’s golden era under Wenger.
Kanu posted: “KAN U believe it??? Arsenal Forever. The Gunners worked so hard for this. Difficult but they fought. Very well deserved. Come on you Gunners.”
Billionaire businessman Tony Elumelu was also euphoric. The chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) shared a video of himself wearing an Arsenal shirt while working out on a treadmill to the soundtrack of “Stand Up for the Champions.” His caption simply read: “EPL champions 2026.”
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo, in very high spirit, wrote: “After 22 long years, we are FINALLY CHAMPIONS!! UP GUNNERS!! Kudos to Man City that pushed us all the way!! It makes it even sweeter!!!”
Nigeria’s former vice-president Atiku Abubakar praised the club’s resilience after years of falling short.
He wrote: “Congratulations to Arsenal on a well-deserved Premier League victory. This title is a testament to resilience, discipline, teamwork, and the courage to keep believing even when the odds seemed difficult. As a proud supporter, tonight is special. Well done to the players, the manager, and the incredible fans who never stopped believing. North London is red again.”
Even those who had parted ways with the club humorously renewed their allegiance. One of such is DJ Cuppy, who in several posts wrote: “Up Gunners” “Will you take me back?”
“Congratulations Arsenal” “Lagos calling”.
And Davido too. The iconic singer born David Adeleke got many fans talking online after announcing his return to supporting Arsenal.
The Nigerian-American singer, who had switched allegiance to Manchester United during Arsenal’s lacklustre years, posted: “Back a Gunner.” Rapper Odumodublvck in response, welcomed him back heartily: “Me and you never fight before. No be today e go start. I accept you back.”
Timi Dakolo posted: “Dear @Arsenal, thank you!!!”;
Comedian Nasboi in a viral post, said: “If my first son’s name isn’t Arsenal, call me a bastard”, while Zlatan Ibile shared a studio session video referencing his Arsenal-inspired lyrics, singing: “He that be in me, greater than he that’s in you, ‘Arsenal no go win trophy’ e shock them wetin Baba God do”.
That emotional release is what separates this title from many others.
This was not a dominant super team expected to win from day one. This was a young squad forced to grow through heartbreak. Arsenal had to lose before they learned how to win.
Perhaps the most impressive part of their campaign was their response to setbacks. A damaging defeat at the Etihad earlier in the season looked like it could hand momentum back to Manchester City. In previous years, Arsenal may have collapsed psychologically. Instead, they responded with composure, discipline and resilience, winning crucial matches down the stretch to reclaim control of the title race.
Arteta himself evolved alongside the team. Once criticised for rigidity, he became more flexible tactically and more composed under pressure. His in-game management improved dramatically, while his ability to create unity inside the club became one of Arsenal’s biggest strengths.
And the frightening reality for Arsenal’s rivals is that this team may only be getting started.
Most of the squad is still young. Saka, Saliba, Rice and Ødegaard are entering their prime years, while the structure around the club now looks stable and ambitious. Arsenal no longer look like outsiders hoping to compete. They look like a team built to stay at the top.
For years, Arsenal fans were told to trust the process.
Now, after 22 painful years, they finally have their reward.
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