Arsenal last night won the Premier League bridging a 22 year gap since the “Invincibles” of 2004 last won the title under Arsene Wenger after Man City’s 1 all draw away at Bournemouth. As a Arsenal fan for over over 30 years thanks to local man by the name of Alan Higgnins who told me to follow the light back in 1997 and then Arsenal went on to win the League and Cup double in 98 and like every young fan you think trophies will come every year but sport like life doesn’t work that way.
I would see Arsenal win another title in 2002 and in 2004 at the age of 14. If you told me then that I would have to wait another 22 years to see Arsenal lift the Premier League, I would have laughed at you.
In reality though the Premier League was changing as money from elsewhere was beginning to filter through with Roman Abramovich taking over Chelsea in 2003 and first winning the League in the 2005/2006 season.
Manchester United of course didn’t disappear and as Arsenal began to lose the race both Chelsea, Man Utd and from 2008 onward Manchester City backed by riches rarely seen in modern football slowly began to change the shape of the landscape forever. Family ownership of clubs was replaced by foreign owners.
Arsenal is owned by the Kroenke Family through Kroenke Sports and Entertainment. Stan Kroenke took over full ownership in 2018. He has invested heavily in recent seasons and has also backed Mikael Arteta in the transfer market.
Yes he has spent heavily to the tune of over 1 billion but let’s go through every clubs accounts and see how much each club has spent before that chestnut is rolled out over the coming days.
As I mention I am an Arsenal fan since 1997 but I was thinking last night when the final whistle went of men like the late Eugene Mulcaire who was a huge Arsenal fan, two local men living in England Rob Pattwell, Danny Mc Glynn, Jack Mallett Snr and Junior as well Sean Considine, Sean Holly, Caolam Moriarty and Owen O Connell bigger Arsenal supporters than yours truly.
It is a special moment to see the team you support get over the finish line after a number of 2nd place finishes in recent years behind Man City and Liverpool.
The points totals that kept Arsenal in 2nd spot would have won the trophy a few times but for all the issues the Premier League has faced via VAR or other things, the one thing that can’t be denied is that over the course of 38 games Arsenal have been the best side, the style of play wasn’t to everyone’s liking but nor was the way Donegal won the All Ireland title in 2012. It is about doing what you have to win.
Of course it won’t suit everyone but that’s life and just because the majority will do something one way does not mean that doing things slightly differently is wrong. Even though the style drove me mad at times, Arteta never wavered and for that you have to admire him.
Several times this season I personally felt Arsenal would get caught and they lost substantial leads in the League but managed to steady the ship and get across the finish line. They will be able to enjoy the final day vs Crystal Palace before attention will turn to PSG in the Champions League Final on Saturday week.
Arsenal are the 2025/2026 Premier League Champions and let’s hope it won’t be another 22 years before another League crown is won. To every Arsenal fan locally and elsewhere, enjoy the next few days because life moves so fast you will miss the celebrations in the blink of an eye…..