Twenty-two years. Since Arsène Wenger's Invincibles, we have watched other clubs do this, and today it was ours. A 2-1 win at Selhurst Park on the final day, and Martin Ødegaard lifted the Premier League trophy in front of the away end.
The Day Itself
The title was already mathematically safe. Manchester City drew at Bournemouth on Tuesday and took the final-day shootout off the table, so this was a coronation rather than a rescue mission. The football still had to be played, and we played it properly.
Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring in the 41st minute, and three minutes into the second half Noni Madueke made it two. Jean-Philippe Mateta headed one back on 89 to give the last few minutes a bit of an edge, which felt about right for a season that has taken this long to finish.
Dowman Again
Max Dowman started, and in doing so became the youngest player ever to start a Premier League match at 16 years and 144 days. He is a Year 11 student who has been missing training for his GCSEs, and he is now the youngest player to win a Premier League medal, taking 54 days off José Baxter's record.
Youngest scorer in the competition's history in March, youngest starter and youngest medal winner in May. Remember where you were.
The Numbers
Eighty-five points. Twenty-six wins, seven draws, five defeats. A fourth Premier League title and a fourteenth English title, sealed with a game to spare.
Not Finished
Even with the trophy in his hands, the captain had one eye on Budapest:
"We had a great celebration on Tuesday, the vibes are unreal, everyone is so happy. But we have another big final, you know, in just a week."
That is what this group has become. Champions of England, and still with work to do.
Man of the Match: Martin Ødegaard. The captain, the trophy, and a wait that finally ended.
Image Credits: https://www.arsenal.com/