Arsenal lifts Premier League trophy

Arsenal were due to lift the Premier League trophy on Sunday after their final match of the 2025-26 season against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, capping the club’s first English league title in 22 years. The Premier League said the presentation would take place on the pitch after full-time, with players and staff collecting medals before captain Martin Odegaard raised the trophy. Arsenal were confirmed as champions on Tuesday, May 19, when second-placed Manchester City drew 1-1 at Bournemouth and could no longer catch Mikel Arteta’s side. The title is Arsenal’s fourth in the Premier League era and the club’s first since 2004. ### Why was Arsenal lifting the trophy away from home? The Premier League said Sunday marked the first time Arsenal would be presented with the Premier League trophy at an away stadium. The usual practice is to hand over the trophy at a champion’s final home match, but Arsenal clinched the title only after beating Burnley in their last home game and then seeing City drop points 24 hours later. (premierleague.com) Selhurst Park was therefore the presentation site for a title Arsenal had already secured before kickoff. Arsenal’s own preview said supporters would be able to “cherish the moment” at full-time as Odegaard followed Patrick Vieira as the next Gunners captain to lift the silverware. ### How did Arsenal clinch the title before the final day? (premierleague.com) Manchester City’s 1-1 draw at AFC Bournemouth on Tuesday left Pep Guardiola’s team four points behind Arsenal with one match remaining, the Premier League said. Arsenal entered the final day on 82 points from 37 matches, with City on 78. (arsenal.com) Arsenal’s title followed three straight runner-up finishes, including a two-point miss in 2023-24, according to the Premier League. The league said Arsenal had now won 14 English top-flight titles overall, behind only Liverpool and Manchester United on 20 each. (premierleague.com) ### What exactly did Arsenal receive on trophy day? The Premier League said Arsenal would receive the trophy in red-and-white ribbons along with 40 commemorative silver medals for players and staff. Under league rule C.13, every player who appeared in at least five league matches must receive a medal, while the club can allocate the rest among its manager, players and officials. (premierleague.com) The league said the trophy stands 3 feet 5 inches tall, is 2 feet wide and weighs 25.4 kilograms. Odegaard, as captain, was expected to be the last player onto the platform before lifting it. ### Where does this title place Arsenal in the record books? The Premier League said this was Arsenal’s fourth Premier League title, leaving the club behind only Manchester United’s 13, Manchester City’s eight and Chelsea’s five in the competition’s history. (premierleague.com) The league also said Arsenal moved two clear of Liverpool’s two Premier League titles. (premierleague.com) Max Dowman, 16, also entered the record books as the youngest player ever to win the Premier League after making more than five appearances this season, according to the Premier League. ### What comes next after the trophy presentation? Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said the club would have “a little window” on Sunday to celebrate and then turn quickly to its next target. (premierleague.com) Arsenal’s preview said the team would play in the Champions League final in Budapest six days later. Crystal Palace also had a major date ahead. Arsenal’s preview said Palace were scheduled to play Real Vallecano on Wednesday night in the Europa Conference League final. (premierleague.com) (arsenal.com)