Arsenal’s Players, Fans Parade Streets Of London Hours After UCL Defeat [Photos]

Thousands of Arsenal supporters packed the streets of north London today, May 31, as the club celebrated their first Premier League title since 2004, putting aside the disappointment of their Champions League final defeat less than 24 hours earlier.

Arsenal fans dressed in the club’s famous red and white lined roads across Islington, waving flags, lighting flares and chanting as an open-top bus parade rolled through the borough.

The celebrations marked the end of a 22-year wait for league glory after Arsenal were confirmed champions on 19 May when Manchester City dropped points against Bournemouth.

Supporters gathered in huge numbers along the parade route, which began at the Emirates Stadium shortly after 2pm and wound through Highbury, Canonbury and Upper Street before returning to the club’s home ground.

Some fans climbed trees, rooftops and traffic lights in a bid to catch a glimpse of Mikel Arteta’s title-winning squad as players proudly displayed the Premier League trophy.

Naija News reports that the atmosphere remained festive despite Arsenal’s defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final on Saturday in Budapest.

The Gunners had hoped to complete a historic double and claim the first European crown in the club’s 140-year history. Instead, PSG retained the trophy after winning on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time.

Kai Havertz had given Arsenal an early advantage before Ousmane Dembele levelled from the penalty spot in the second half. Arsenal’s hopes were then dashed in the shoot-out as Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes failed to convert their spot-kicks.

The Premier League triumph carried extra significance for the Gunners, having finished runners-up in each of the previous three seasons.

Four buses took part in Sunday’s celebrations, including one carrying Arsenal Women, who won the inaugural Women’s Champions Cup in February.

Reflecting on the scale of the event, BBC Sport reporter Matt Graveling said: “As the victory parade comes to a close, you can bet some people will be heading to the pub, while others will hang around and enjoy the party.

“They don’t know how long they’re going to have to wait to do this again.

“Most people I’ve been speaking to today don’t think it’s going to be another 22 years, but you never know.

“Out of all the events I’ve ever covered in my 15 years as a broadcast journalist, this is without doubt the biggest event I’ve seen, people-wise, in any sport across any country.

“These are memories that last a lifetime.”