(As published in the Sunday New Telegraph of 24th May, 2026)
By SHEDDY OZOENE
The excitement was palpable. Supporters of Arsenal Football Club across the world erupted in celebration last week as the North London club clinched the 2025/2026 English Premier League title. Although Arsenal still had one match left to play, the title was effectively sealed when Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw by AFC Bournemouth, leaving the four-point gap between Arsenal and City practically unassailable.
For Arsenal fans, it was the end of a painful 22-year wait for the league crown. Their last triumph came during the legendary “Invincibles” season of 2003/2004 when Arsène Wenger’s side went unbeaten throughout the campaign. Since then, generations of supporters have endured frustration, heartbreak, and near misses. Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal finished runners-up in three consecutive seasons before finally breaking the jinx this year.
The celebrations stretched far beyond North London. In Nigeria, where Arsenal enjoy one of their largest global fan bases, the excitement was extraordinary. Business moguls, government officials, celebrities, and millions of ordinary supporters poured into the streets to celebrate the long-awaited triumph. For many, it was not just about football; it was about finally shedding the burden of being perpetual nearly-men.
My friends who know I support Chelsea wasted no time in calling to “check on me.” It was their turn to mock me. Chief Larry Ekwunife, a diehard Arsenal fan, even had the courage to invite me to their celebration party in Gudu, Abuja, last Saturday. But he attached a condition: I was free to eat, drink and observe from a safe distance, but I was forbidden from appearing in the group photograph.
Imagine that.
What makes Arsenal’s triumph particularly remarkable is the manner in which it was achieved. For a team often mocked as “Set Piece FC,” suggesting the team lacked attacking imagination and relied excessively on dead-ball situations, it simply ignored the criticism and turned it into their greatest weapon. The team transformed corners and free kicks into devastating attacking opportunities. Arsenal scored 69 league goals during their title-winning campaign, with more than 40 percent coming from set pieces. Of their 28 dead-ball goals, 18 came directly from corner kicks — a new Premier League single-season record. Yes, in every sense, Arsenal truly “cornered” the league this season.
Their success, however, was not built merely on that attacking innovation, it also rested firmly on defensive dominance. Arsenal conceded only 26 goals in 37 league matches — the best defensive record in the division and one of the finest across Europe’s top five leagues.At the heart of that defensive solidity stood the centre-back partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães. Together, they formed the most dependable defensive pairing in English football this season. Behind them, goalkeeper David Raya produced a campaign worthy of the highest praise. With his clean sheet against Burnley F.C. on May 18, Raya recorded his 19th clean sheet of the season, equalling the Arsenal club record previously held by David Seaman in the 1993/94 and 1998/99 campaigns. Should he keep another clean sheet on the final day against Crystal Palace, Raya would become the outright record holder.
For many observers, Raya deserves serious consideration for Player of the Year.
Midfielder Declan Rice was immense throughout the campaign, but Raya’s consistency, composure, and command of Arsenal’s defensive structure proved decisive in this season.The attacking contribution was equally important. Summer signing Viktor Gyökeres enjoyed a superb debut season, scoring 21 goals in all competitions, including 14 in the Premier League. He became the first Arsenal player to score 20 or more goals in all competitions in his debut season since Alexis Sánchez achieved the feat in 2014/15. Before Sánchez, only Thierry Henry had managed it in the Premier League era.
Above all, this title is a personal triumph for manager Mikel Arteta. At 44 years and 54 days old, Arteta becomes the second-youngest manager ever to win the Premier League title. Only José Mourinho was younger when he led Chelsea to consecutive league titles in 2004/05 and 2005/06. After he endured years of criticism, doubts about his tactical ability, and accusations that he could not take Arsenal beyond second place, he remained patient and unwavering in his football philosophy. In the end, he finally proved that he possesses not only tactical intelligence but also the resilience required of a title-winning manager.
Across the full history of English top-flight football, Arsenal have now won 14 league titles, trailing only Liverpool and Manchester United, who each have 20. Now Arsenal stand once again at the summit of English football — not through flashy extravagance, but through discipline, tactical intelligence, and ruthless execution from the corner flag to the penalty box.
As the noise dies down, attention is turned towards their upcoming Champions League final against Paris Saint Germain in Budapest. A win will seek to rewrite the Arsenal story of decades of anguish. It may end up as one experience in patience and resilience.
After 22 long years, the Gunners are champions again. They deserve all the celebration and even their harshest critics cannot but congratulate them on their remarkable comeback.
