Flares and fireworks burst in the midnight city for the winning team! (Image: Julian Finney, Getty Images)
There are very few moments more special in football than last night.
Arsenal fans took over the streets of North London following Manchester City’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth. Hundreds of thousands of loyal supporters gathered spontaneously outside The Emirates stadium to celebrate the end of a 22-year title drought – igniting flares and fireworks that burst into the midnight sky.
From Sao Paulo to Singapore to Nairobi to pathways all around the world, Gunners gathered in red and white at early morning hours in a state beyond cloud nine; floating at the highest possible point of happiness – the feeling, the elation, the relief, the euphoria can’t be described in words.
It has been 22 years since Arsene Wengers ‘invincibles’ who won 26, drew 12 & lost none. It has been 22 years since Thierry Henry’s iconic solo goal against Liverpool. It has been 22 years since Robert Pires flicked the ball over George Boateng’s head and then Peter Schmeichel. It was May 15, 2004 when Arsenal fans last witnessed greatness; the long arms of Patrick Vieira lifting the trophy to the Highbury skies. Highbury with its iconic marble halls and unforgettable European nights, held a special place in the hearts of Arsenal fans.
The Coming of Mikel Arteta
In the words of Karen Salmansohn, “The hardest thing about “everything happens for a reason” is waiting for that reason to show up.”
The move from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium in 2006 marked a pivotal moment in the club’s history. Since relocating, fans were forced to endure several periods of disappointment, ranging from heavy defeats to long periods without silverware. One of the lowest moments of the Emirates era has been the 8-2 thrashing at the hands of Manchester United in 2011. This was Arsenal’s heaviest league defeat since 1927. The result was so severe that it triggered a major strategic shift in the club’s transfer policy. A “panic buy” spree followed that saw Arsene Wenger famously sign five players in the final 48 hours of the 2011 summer transfer window. One of these players was Mikel Arteta. Who knew back then that this was the signing that would fulfil an Emirates dream? The then captain showed glimpses of his leadership qualities and retired as a player in May 2016 after a five-year spell with the Gunners. He famously scored in his final game against Aston Villa; overwhelmed with emotions, he broke down in tears. This showed his eternal love for the club.
The re-signing of Mikel Arteta on the 20th of December, 2019, was a pivotal moment. The Spaniard was back this time, taking the ‘hot seat’ of the head coach. At the time he took over, Arsenal sat 11th in the Premier League, closer to the relegation zone than the top four.
Three years into his tenure, the Gunners started to morph into a new force reminiscent of the ‘invincibles’. The Spaniard guided Arsenal to three consecutive second-place finishes in the Premier League during the 2022/23, 2023/24, and 2024/25 seasons. These back-to-back near misses made rival fans mock Arsenal fc as “bridesmaids” but never the “bride”
Mikel Arteta and his rigorous demands brought the team out of 22 year title-drought (Image: James Gill - Danehouse, Getty Images)
From “Bottlers” to Title Holders
It was time for the club hierarchy to make a few changes that will push the near-men of English football over the finish line. Arsenal brought in Andrea Berta to replace Edu Gaspar as sporting director. Having spent over a decade working closely with high-intensity manager Diego Simeone in Spain, Berta was viewed as perfectly equipped to meet the rigorous demands of Mikel Arteta.
The Italian football executive successfully negotiated deals for critical players, including Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Piero Hinacapie and Eberechi Eze. Arsenal’s previous issue of a “thin” bench was immediately solved.
Critics often pointed to the team’s lack of clinical edge and mental strength needed to win when it mattered. This appeared to be true when they lost a high-stakes match to Manchester City on the 19th of April. Despite the defeat, Declan Rice defiantly & prophetically said these three words: ‘IT’S NOT OVER.’
He was right.
Today, Arsenal are the champions of England. Manchester City fans have since put their bottles back in their pockets.
From well-executed corner kicks whipped in from the right side by Bukayo Saka and headed home by Gabriel Mergalhaes to double save masterclasses by David Raya to Max Dowman running nearly the full length of the pitch before rolling the ball into the empty net to Kai Havertz heading in the corner that shattered a 22-year jinx, this was a season that will never be forgotten.
The season we witnessed ‘The Unforgettables’
This season an Emirates dream came true.
