Tens of thousands of Arsenal fans pushed aside their disappointment from missing out on European success as the club celebrated its first Premier League title since 2004 with a parade in London on Sunday.
Gunners supporters filled the streets in the north of London to see their team showcase the Premier League trophy from the upper deck of an open-top bus.
Wearing the club's famous red-and-white colours, fans chanted, cheered, waved flags, and lit flares as they celebrated being champions of England for the first time in 22 years.
Some fans climbed trees, roofs, and traffic lights, hoping to catch a glimpse of Mikel Arteta’s team.
The cheerful atmosphere was a sharp contrast to the violence that happened in France overnight. There, celebrations after Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League win over Arsenal turned chaotic.
Hundreds were arrested across France due to clashes with police, burglary, and vandalism.
“I’ve waited a long time for this,” said 67-year-old Steven Turner, who wore a red Arsenal hat and attended the parade with his daughter.
“I was a little bit disappointed and sad yesterday. But they played very well. I’m still very happy to be here, very proud of the team,” he added.
Arsenal became Premier League champions on May 19 when second-placed Manchester City drew at Bournemouth.
They had hoped to celebrate a double by winning both the league and their first Champions League trophy in the club’s 140-year history.
But the English giants faced heartbreak in Budapest on Saturday, losing on penalties to PSG after the match ended 1-1 following extra time.
Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes missed their penalties in the shootout. Kai Havertz had given Arsenal an early lead before Ousmane Dembele equalised for PSG from the spot in the second half.
Winning the Premier League title came after Arsenal finished runners-up in the league for the past three seasons.
Nick Randall, who works in retail, was only nine years old when Arsenal last won England’s top league. He drove from Manchester, about 200 miles away, with his partner and baby for the Sunday celebration.
“Overwhelmed” was how he described his feelings.
“We haven’t had a team like this for 15 years. I felt fine yesterday, a bit sad, but we won the Premier League still,” he told AFP.
Williams Ayodeji, who grew up in Nigeria, came from the Scottish capital Edinburgh for the parade.
“I am so happy. It’s been 22 years. I was a baby last time. I love this team. They are part of my life,” he told AFP.
The 36-year-old Uber driver said winning the Premier League was “a good start” that could help Arsenal achieve Champions League success next season.
Sarah Ball, 47, shared that she cried when Arsenal lost in Budapest but felt “very proud” of her team.
“It would have been nice to have a double, but we won the Premier League, so happy with that,” she told AFP.
The parade started shortly after 2:00 pm (1300 GMT) and was set to take two hours to complete a nine-kilometre route near the club’s Emirates Stadium in Islington.
Four buses were part of the celebration, including one that carried Arsenal Women, who won the first Women’s Champions Cup in February.
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