Arsenal are Premier League champions. Mikel Arteta’s side secured the title with a 2-1 victory at Selhurst Park, finishing the season on 85 points, seven clear of Manchester City who can no longer catch them. Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke scored either side of half-time to put the Gunners in control, and although Jean-Philippe Mateta pulled one back in stoppage time, a VAR-disallowed goal moments later confirmed what the standings had already made clear.
Key Moments
- 42′, Gabriel Jesus opens the scoring for Arsenal just before the break, giving the away side a deserved lead at half-time.
- 48′, Noni Madueke doubles Arsenal’s lead three minutes into the second half, effectively settling the contest and the title race.
- 74′, Gabriel Jesus picks up a yellow card for holding, and is substituted off one minute later.
- 89′, Jean-Philippe Mateta pulls one back for Crystal Palace with a late goal, briefly raising the tension at Selhurst Park.
- 90′, Yago Pino appears to equalise for Crystal Palace but the goal is ruled out for offside by VAR, sealing the result and the title for Arsenal.
Tactical Breakdown
Arsenal controlled the match from the first whistle, finishing with 61% possession, 17 total shots to Crystal Palace’s 8, and an xG of 2.40 against 1.10 for the hosts. Arteta’s 4-2-3-1 worked the ball through midfield efficiently, completing 89% of their 512 passes, and the majority of their threat came from inside the box, with 15 of their 17 attempts arriving from close range. Madueke was lively throughout the first half and gave Oliver Glasner’s backline no respite.
Crystal Palace made three substitutions at half-time, bringing on Ismaila Sarr, Daniel Munoz, and removing Daichi Kamada, in an attempt to inject more energy and width. The changes did alter the shape briefly, but Arsenal responded within three minutes of the restart when Madueke converted to make it 2-0, neutralising any Palace momentum before it could build. Arteta’s decision to replace Calafiori and introduce Norgaard at the break added physicality in the middle and helped Arsenal manage the game through the second period.
Crystal Palace created very little of substance before Mateta’s late consolation, managing only 3 shots on target across 90 minutes. All 8 of their attempts came from inside the box, which reflects how limited their build-up play was rather than any genuine sustained threat. A VAR-disallowed goal in the 90th minute for Yago Pino summed up Palace’s afternoon: occasional flickers but nothing to alter the outcome.
Player Ratings
Verdict
Arsenal finish the Premier League season on 85 points, their highest total in years, with a record of 26 wins, 7 draws, and 5 losses. Arteta has delivered the club’s first league title since the Invincibles era, and the manner of this final-day win, measured, controlled, and efficient even without their strongest available lineup, reflects how far this squad has come. Manchester City end the season seven points adrift in second, and the title belongs unambiguously to north London.