Arsenal celebrations solidify start of something special as Gunners delight in Premier League glory | OneFootball

Defeat to PSG in Champions League did little do dampen the mood in north London

The pain of losing the Champions League final to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties was never going to dampen the carnival atmosphere at Arsenal’s Premier League trophy parade.

With Gabriel’s missed spot-kick still fresh in the memories, supporters could be forgiven for feeling somewhat subdued.

This, though, has been a season in which Arsenal have broke new ground and ended years of hurt to become the title winning team they had always threatened.

In lifting their first Premier League title in 22 years there is still plenty of cause for celebration and hundreds of thousands of weary supporters lined the streets of north London to show their appreciation.

Mothers, sons, daughters, husbands all came together on a hot May afternoon to celebrate. There were supporters all the way from Stoke Newington to Singapore, united by one thing. Arsenal football club.

So determined were some supporters to see Mikel Arteta’s title winners that they began to scale buildings, scaffolded or not, in search of a better view.

The streets were packed to breaking point from early on and you could not begrudge some supporters for seeking higher climbs just to get a breath and take it all in.

Anything for a good view at the parade

Getty

Plumes of red pyrotechnic smoke filled the air and chants of North London Forever echoed down the high road. Arteta’s men are heroes and the heartbreak of the Champions League has only solidified that belief.

Less than 24 hours on from their penalty shoot-out defeat in Budapest, the timing of the parade was always going to prove awkward.

Those who made the trip out to the Hungarian capital will have struggled to make it back in time, while the emotions of the final remain raw and unprocessed.

Still, supporters showed up in their droves, putting sore heads and sombre thoughts to one side to bask in the glory of their Premier League triumph. For the second weekend running the capital was a blaze of red and white.

Arsenal fans turned London red once again during the Premier League trophy parade

PA

Tribalism will always get in the way of rival supporters admitting as much, but the outpouring of emotion since Arsenal were crowned champions has offered a timely expose on the effect football can have on the human condition.

At its best, football is uplifting, aspirational and a welcome distraction from the pressures of life. Arsenal supporters have celebrated unchecked over the last two weeks and who can blame them.

Sunday’s parade marked the start rather than the end of Arsenal’s celebrations. They will party long into the night and all summer before preparing to do it all again come August.