Arsenal capped their historic Premier League title-winning campaign with a final-day 2-1 victory at Crystal Palace, ending a 22-year wait for domestic glory. The Gunners, already confirmed as champions after Manchester City drew with Bournemouth midweek, finished on 85 points, seven clear of Pep Guardiola’s side, who suffered a farewell defeat to Aston Villa.
Mikel Arteta made nine changes with the UEFA Champions League final on the horizon, handing a landmark start to Max Dowman. At 16 years and 144 days, the academy graduate became the youngest player to start a Premier League match, surpassing the previous record. Dowman’s early involvement helped break the deadlock when his clever flick released Gabriel Martinelli down the left, allowing Gabriel Jesus to fire in at the near post.
Jesus, who had squandered earlier opportunities, made no mistake from close range, giving Arsenal a deserved lead. The Brazilian forward’s clinical finish set the tone, but Palace — also preparing for a European showdown — fought back through Jean-Philippe Mateta. The French striker halved the deficit, setting up a tense finale at Selhurst Park.
Arsenal restored their cushion from a set-piece, their record 19th goal of the season from a corner. Substitute Kai Havertz headed a deep delivery back across the six-yard box, where Noni Madueke powered a volley through traffic to restore the two-goal advantage. That tally underlined Arsenal’s dead-ball threat, a hallmark of Arteta’s tactical evolution.
Palace thought they’d snatched a draw when Yeremy Pino fired home, but VAR intervened for an offside against Evann Guessand in the build-up. The reprieve allowed Arsenal to celebrate their 26th league win of the campaign, a fitting conclusion to a season of domestic dominance.
The victory carried deeper significance beyond the three points. It marked Arsenal’s first English top-flight title since the 2003-04 Invincibles, bridging a generation. Arteta has transformed the club from top-four hopefuls to relentless champions, blending youth with savvy recruitment. The 85-point haul, while not a league record, underscored their consistency, losing only three times all season.
For Palace, the defeat was a minor setback ahead of their Europa Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano. Oliver Glasner’s side, already assured of a top-half finish, now face an anxious wait over Adam Wharton, who limped off with an undefined issue. Arsenal, meanwhile, received a timely boost with Mikel Merino’s return from a foot injury as a second-half substitute, strengthening their options for the Champions League showpiece.
The final day also saw the emotional curtain fall on Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City tenure. Guardiola, who announced earlier this season that 2025-26 would be his last, bowed out with a defeat at Villa Park, leaving Arsenal as the league’s benchmark. City’s 78-point return was their lowest under the Catalan, signaling a period of transition at the Etihad.
Looking ahead, the summer promises a packed football calendar. The 2026 World Cup kicks off on June 11, with England facing Croatia on June 17 and Scotland meeting Haiti on June 14. Premier League fixtures for 2026-27 drop on June 19, with the new season commencing on August 22-23. The transfer window opens on June 15 and closes on September 1, with Deadline Day at 11 p.m. UK time.
Arsenal’s title triumph, built on a strong defensive foundation and innovative attacking patterns, has reshaped the Premier League landscape. As the Gunners turn their attention to European glory, their domestic supremacy offers a blueprint for sustained success. Based on reporting from Sky Sports.
