Arsenal lift Premier League trophy

Arsenal lifted the Premier League trophy on Sunday, May 24, after beating Crystal Palace 2-1 at Selhurst Park to close out the 2025-26 season. The trophy presentation came five days after Mikel Arteta’s side had already been confirmed as champions when Manchester City drew 1-1 at Bournemouth on May 19. (premierleague.com) Arsenal finished first on 85 points, ending a 22-year wait for the title. The final day settled more than the title celebration. (premierleague.com) The Premier League said Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Liverpool qualified for the Champions League, while Bournemouth reached the Europa League and Sunderland took the Conference League place. (premierleague.com) BBC Sport’s final-day roundup also listed Brighton among the clubs to secure European football for 2026-27. ### If Arsenal were already champions, why did May 24 matter? May 19 was the date Arsenal mathematically secured the title, because Manchester City’s draw at Bournemouth left them unable to catch the leaders. (premierleague.com) Sunday, May 24, was the day Arsenal played their last match and received the trophy. The distinction matters because the title was won before kickoff on the final weekend, but the public image most fans remember is the lift itself. The Premier League said the trophy would be presented after Arsenal’s final game at Crystal Palace, and that is what happened. (premierleague.com) ### How strong was Arsenal’s finish? Arsenal ended the season with 26 wins and 85 points from 38 matches. The official Premier League table shows they finished seven points ahead of second-placed Manchester City, with a goal difference of plus-44. (premierleague.com) Crystal Palace’s 1-2 home defeat to Arsenal on the last day completed that margin. The final standings published by the league show City on 78 points, with Manchester United third on 71 and Aston Villa fourth on 65. ### What did the final day decide besides the trophy lift? The Premier League said the last round finalized the European places. (premierleague.com) Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Liverpool took Champions League berths by finishing in the top five. Bournemouth qualified for the Europa League. Sunderland qualified for the Conference League. (premierleague.com) BBC Sport’s final-day roundup framed the day around the title celebration and the remaining race for Europe. Its published standings and qualification list said Liverpool, Bournemouth, Sunderland and Brighton secured European qualification. (premierleague.com) ### How long had Arsenal waited for this? The Premier League said Arsenal’s 2025-26 title was the club’s first in 22 years. The league also noted that Arteta’s side had finished as runners-up in each of the previous three seasons before going one better this year. (premierleague.com) That sequence gave the title extra weight for Arsenal, who had spent several seasons pushing Manchester City without finishing first. This time, City’s dropped points at Bournemouth opened the door before Arsenal’s own final match. (premierleague.com) ### Where can readers check the final table and season wrap? The Premier League’s official table page shows Arsenal first on 85 points after 38 matches and lists the qualification bands for Europe. The league also published a season-end explainer under “Everything that’s been decided in 2025/26 Premier League.” (premierleague.com) BBC Sport separately published its May 24 roundup covering the final-day outcomes and the clubs that qualified for Europe in 2026-27. Those pages are the clearest reference points for the confirmed standings and qualification spots after the season ended on May 24. (premierleague.com 1) (premierleague.com 2)