Morning all.
For the final time this season, Arsenal will play a Premier League game, but will take to the field at Selhurst Park as champions. There’s a world in which today is all important, the destination of the title to be decided, our nerves frayed like a piece of old rope, and frankly, that’s a world I’m glad we’re not involved in.
I don’t know about you, but aside from all the pleasure and enjoyment that comes with winning the league, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the last few days being absolutely devoid of any stress or tension. From August 17th 2025, when we beat Man Utd away on the opening day of the season, to May 19th 2026, when Bournemouth drew with Man City, we had 276 in which we fretted, worried, bit our nails, sweated, at times even ventured into mild anguish, but all of that is now behind us.
What a luxury it feels like. We can play a game without fear or apprehension, and to be fair I think it’s probably beneficial for Crystal Palace too. Both teams have European finals this week. Theirs is on Wednesday in Leipzig, ours on Saturday in Budapest, but there had been so much talk about what kind of team Oliver Glasner would, or should, pick for this one if the title was still on the line. Now, it doesn’t matter if they pick all their kids, and they can – if they want – focus fully on a game which really matters.
I’m actually quite curious to see what kind of team Mikel Arteta picks today. We don’t have a lot of depth at the back, so it’s hard to see how we can rest some key players back there, but if Marli Salmon got a start I wouldn’t be surprised. In midfield, having played so little, I think it’d be nice to give Christian Norgaard a game. I’m sure he’s been disappointed with his minutes this season, but from everything I hear he’s been a consummate professional behind the scenes and on the training ground, so starting today would surely be a reward for that.
We could see players like Myles Lewis-Skelly, Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli come in, and maybe even Gabriel Jesus for what could be a final start for Arsenal with his departure this summer looking quite likely. Then there’s Mikel Merino, back in training and hoping to return so he can book a place in the Spain squad for the World Cup, does he need a few minutes? Will we see Jurrien Timber on the bench, perhaps as a way to get some minutes into his legs before Budapest? It seems unlikely, but let’s see.
Ultimately though, today isn’t really about what happens on the pitch, beyond ensuring everyone comes through without incident – it’s what’s going to happen after the final whistle. Arsenal will be presented with the Premier League trophy after 22 years, and that’s what matters. From what I understand via our Palace friend from Dan from HLTCO, they’ll have a lap of appreciation as this is their final home game of the season, and the trophy presentation will follow that. So, rightly enough, we’ll have to be a bit patient, but waiting half an hour or so after waiting 22 years doesn’t seem like much fuss to me.
Will I shed a tear? Another tear, I should say. Possibly, but I’m even getting some mild goosebumps writing this right now. It will be emotional. It should be emotional. We know how much it has taken to get to this point, to do this, to win more points than anyone else this season, and we know what it means to everyone. The players, the manager and his staff, to everyone who works at the club, to the fans local and international. It’s everything, and however you choose to consume it later on, I hope you feast on the pictures and videos and compilations and everything that will come with it.
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For some extra reading, Lewis takes a look back at the season from a tactical perspective, and it’s well worth your time over an extra coffee this morning.
As ever, we’ll have some live blog coverage for you, and post-game stuff on Arseblog News. Coverage might be patchier than normal due to Arseblog people being out and about enjoying the celebrations, but as ever we’ll do our best. We also have a preview podcast on Patreon if you fancy a bit of that!
Right, I’ll leave it there for now. I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday until such time as we assemble, far and wide, to see Arsenal lift the Premier League trophy.
What fun!
