The premier League champions will travel south to Sunny Croydon to take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park as we conclude our league campaign on this sunny Bank Holiday weekend.
Perhaps it is fitting that we will lift the title at the ground where this journey truly took off on that magical summer’s night almost four years ago. We had enjoyed an exciting preseason that summer and, despite missing out on the top four at the expense of Tottenham the previous season, spirits were high and there was real optimism that good times were on the way.
Gabby Jesus had elevated our attack beyond our wildest dreams, Zinchenko was popping up in all sorts of spaces, and William Saliba made his long-awaited debut after three seasons out on loan. In one summer it felt as though we were watching a completely new team. We won 2-0 and for the next eight months it felt like we were floating in the clouds. The football was mesmerising and we were daring to dream again. Unfortunately, we fell short at the final hurdle and that was the first of a frustrating hat trick of runner-up finishes and the “second again ole ole” chant was sung at us wherever we went, often by fan bases who would sacrifice their first-born child to see their team finish second. But we were on an incredible journey, and it all began on that magical evening at Selhurst Park.
And perhaps, it’s fitting that we shall lift the trophy south of the river where we were founded by Woolwich factory workers almost 140 years ago. Croydon is not quite Woolwich, but still. We’ve certainly outgunned the rest of the league this time.
As is custom, Arsenal will receive a guard of honour from Crystal Palace before the game. Last May we were giving Liverpool a guard of honour at Anfield and who can forget giving RVP and United a guard of honour at the Emirates only 12 months after the scrote won the golden boot in Arsenal colours? It will be nice to be on the receiving end.
Both Arsenal and Palace have European finals in the next few days so there will likely be heavy rotation for both. There should be a real end of season atmosphere for this one, both on the pitch and in the stands. Almost Carnival-like. But the real carnival will be 10 or so miles north in Finsbury Park, Holloway and the surrounding areas. given there were an estimated 100,000 outside the Emirates on Tuesday night and the fact that this is a weekend, it’s 30 degrees and a bank holiday, I expect the number of supporters gathering in Islington will be significantly higher on Sunday.
As for the official parade next weekend, the Metropolitan Police have reportedly estimated well over a million supporters will line the streets of Islington to congratulate the boys. I suspect that number may be closer to two million if we do the business in Budapest and become immortalised.
I would like to point out that it is remarkable that we are able to draw these kinds of numbers in a city which is home to over a dozen other professional clubs. A half dozen of those are also in the top flight. Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and others are all two club cities broadly speaking. Yes, London is much bigger, but it does seem like we have got the run of the place.
In terms of team news, apparently Mikel Merino is available for selection. Amazing news for Budapest so let’s hope he can get some minutes in the legs.
My predicted lineup is as follows;
Kepa
Mosquera Saliba Hincapié MLS
Nørgaard Zubimendi Eze
Madueke Gyökeres Martinelli
Still a strong side whilst still being able to rest several key players. I’m going for a 1-0 win to see us finish on 85 points. But ultimately, tomorrow is all about the trophy presentation and celebrating what has been a truly wonderful season. The scenes on Tuesday night were incredible to be a part of, and it was moving, in many ways, to see such an outpouring of joy from so many happy people. I doubt any of us have ever seen so many happy people all in one place. Only football can make you feel like this.
And it could be about to get even better.
CHAMPIONS AGAIN, OLE OLE!
Thanks for an entertaining last preview of a quiet season trailing away to mediocrity 21CG .We must congratulate Bruno Fernandes in doing the double by winning PFA player of the year . He maintained a superb standard in navigating forty inconsequential games this season . Presumably Michael Carrick will be Manager of the Season ( unless they give it to Pep) . More evidence of the north- western bias in English football.
Hard to predict tomorrow but a day to enjoy . I was offered a ticket in the middle of the Palace fans and felt I couldn’t enjoy it as I would like to although I wish them well en route to Leipzig . I’d swap Marli Salmon for Saliba and bring in Max Dowman for his first league start in place of Eze who can have a late cameo in front of the Holmesdale End.
I sense a 1-1 draw cutting down our fourteen point lead on Manchester United and twenty plus points on last year’s champions .
And Good luck Tottenham 🤮😱🤡🦇🥶
Thanks for an excellent preview to a celebratory weekend, 21 CG. 1-0 to the Arsenal will do rather nicely too.
From a close friend of Dave’s who, sadly, has never found his way to this hostelry:
I haven’t read the preview yet, I’ll save that for later. I just popped in to recommend this excellent and insightful video from Miguel Delaney about the journey we’ve been on with Arteta. It’s got some good insider info and is a fantastic piece of journalism. Something that’s rarer and rarer these days. Highly recommended.
So are we all nervous about tomorrow and the possible outcomes? Here’s a summary.
Well, that’s been a very enjoyable few days I must say. Premier League CHAMPIONS 2025/26. It has a very nice ring to it.
Like many I guess, I’m not sure it’s fully sunk in yet. I’m very much looking forward to a trip to South London, with absolutely nothing to worry about other than how many to actually rest. What a great position to be in. 22 years seems an age but reality is that many don’t even get remotely close. One of the things I have always loved about this great club is that we rarely make a grab for the panic button. It’s been clear for several years now that there has clearly been a long term plan in place. A plan about progression and development. A plan that absolutely everyone buys into. This week, as incredibly wonderful as it has been, for me is just the start. When you read about the strengths in all areas, and you see such worldwide support, you start to realise why so many others are so fearful.
Like many in the bar of a certain age, this will not be the first time we have experienced these joys. But also like many, this will be the first time we get to share these moments with our offspring. My two are now 26 and 22. My 26 year old returns home from a wonderful 3 week holiday today. She can’t wait to get back and celebrate. I watched the final 15 minutes of the C115y game with my 22 year old. Watching him count down every minute before a monstrous outpouring of emotion when the final whistle went. Those are the very special moments. And then there’s Dave. The reason we are all here in the first place. I will never forget meeting up with Dave at that ridiculous Reading v Arsenal game all those years ago. I introduced him to my two as he gladly let them both nick chips from his plate before heading off to the ground. It was then that my youngest came out with the following questions. “Dad, is that Goonerholic?” “Yes son.” “Dad, what’s a Goonerholic????” The rest is history as they say.
Massive congratulations to Mikel, and the entire squad. Big praise to our American owners who like many, I had massive doubts about when they first arrived. They have stood strong and backed their man. They should be applauded for that. Also a big shout out to Mr Berta. You sir orchestrated your way through quite simply the best transfer window we have ever had.
So, tomorrow at Palace? Play reserves, play kids, stroll about like it’s a training session and don’t get injured. I hope it’s a party atmosphere from both fans and I hope Everton batter Middlesex. Then, it’s trophy time and it all just starts again.
Big love and hugs to all in here. I’m nowhere near a regular contributor anymore, but am always in the wings. Did I ever mention my love of width??? You are all special people and very much a large part of what makes this all so great.
Keep the faith.
Lovely piece by Layth Yousif, Editor of The Gooner.
Thanks 21CG – off to the Palace it is then !
Yoofs, reserves, tea ladies and stewards to play in our All-Stars XI tomorrow. Cos they are – all stars. All doing their bit to make the best club in the world run like it does. It’s quite clearly the best supported club in the world – and let’s not argue about yesterday’s men in Salford. The scenes in Islington on Tuesday evening were simply astonishing. Had to be 100-150,000 fans there – and we weren’t even playing !
A party on the pitch tomorrow – followed by scenes, limbs … oh, and a trophy, I believe. 😉
Thanks 21CG, I remember that 2-0 win well, it was the first time
I thought hang on, we’ve got a good team here now.
No idea who will play but whoever it is I am sure we will enjoy the
game and collect the silverware.
Been nice to see some old and new faces in to celebrate the title 😃
@4 thanks Dino, as you said well worth a listen.
We owe Mikel so much, reminds me a bit of Hornby
talking about GG saving The Arsenal at the end of Fever Pitch. Dennis knows
where we’d have been without Mikel. Also I must say
I’ve enjoyed Pep not being our “friend” any more.
You’ve hit the perfect note for the final preview of this glorious season, 21CG.
A belated welcome to Tazgooner from the previous drinks. It has also been heartwarming to see some of the regulars from the original bar dropping into the new digs to join the celebrations. Don’t be strangers; there is always a drink on the bar for you (we found Lars’s wallet during the move). Even more heartwarming is how this title has drawn spontaneous tributes to the Guv’nor from across the Goonerverse, so fondly is he remembered. West Stand Tone says it all in Bath’s link@3.
GSD@4: Thanks for that link. Delaney adds colour and context to Arteta’s role in transforming the club that I, for one, didn’t know. One point that caught my attention was that Tim Lewis took Arteta to the US to meet the Kroenkes when Arteta had deep self-doubt about the project early on. Arteta left knowing he had the owners’ backing. As we have discussed here before, Stan Kroenke owns teams that win things; it is a key part of KSE’s business model. That support has been critical to winning the league. I thought the affectionate reception that the players and coaches gave Josh Kroenke at Colney during training ahead of the Palace game was highly symbolic of that. As SteveT says @6, the Kroenkes should be applauded for backing our man with a plan.
So Hull, the team that finished 22 points behind the winners of the Championship, their same gap as with the lowest team to escape relegation, have made it from the Land of Green Ginger to the land of milk and honey. Players in the 2026-27 GHF Predictathon can probably pencil in their prediction for 20th now. Which
naturallyshamelessly segues to a reminder that this season’s edition reaches its climax tomorrow. Will Potsticker hang on for back-to-back titles or will TTG or GSD peg him back at the death? Who will wriggle free from the tight scrap in the relegation zone? Who will you be able to claim bragging rights over? You know where to find the answers to those questions and more tomorrow…Much to enjoy in the preview and comments.
A delight to see ‘Wide Boy’ Steve T in the bar; and what a very fine heartfelt contribution, Steve.
I’ll be driving North of the Wall tomorrow so will almost certainly be listening not watching live. I’m hoping to hear that both Salmon and Dowman feature for extended periods.
Enjoy, Holics. It’s a very fine time to be a Gooner.
@13 thanks Ned, top 4 to bottom 3, a reverse Hull of a journey 😃
Great preview 21CG, and so many other heartfelt contributions!
This is how I expect the champions would line up:
Kepa
Salmon-Mosquera-Hincapié-MLS
Eze-Nørgaard-Zubimendi
Madueke-Jesus-Martinelli
Could be an entertaining match. Just the amuse-bouche before the big event next weekend? Or simply a joyous pre-celebratory calisthenics with a football? With some obscure tactical experimentation thrown in as a diversionary trick?
Whatever it is, let’s end this most memorable of a league season with a win.
Come on Arsenal!
Excellent preview 21cg. Happy to be going to see the game with the Twin Cities Gooners, and watch us lift the trophy. What an achievement.
It would be remiss of us at this time not to spare a thought for our neighbours in their time of crisis . Fighting to stay in a league that Arsenal have won .
Amazingly they have the THIRD best away record in the league .
That would suggest to the mathematically inclined that their home form must be absolutely diabolical. A billion pound stadium in which your form is the worst in the league . But might it also indicate the sort of atmosphere Spud fans create at the ground? Whatever they need a point today and hope that Wet Spam are just Wet Spam again. I think they will survive but Spursiness confounds logic . Anyway Audere est Facere whatever that may mean
Enjoy a glorious silver-lifting day, Holics. 🥂 🥃 🍸😎
Nice one 21CG. What a fine report to enjoy on a fine morning.
Good to see Steve T in. I’m with BtM in wanting to see some Salmon and Dowman (if the football thing doesn’t work out lads then you could always open a haberdashers together).
Ned highlights just one new piece of info I heard in the Delaney piece. Reliable and well-informed – it will never catch on.
I’m looking forward to today. Got some errands in the morning and some trophy lifting in the afternoon. Bliss. Have a good one ‘holics.
Good morning Goonerholics! Happy coronation day!
Have a simply wonderful piece by Jonathan Liew.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/arsenal-premier-league-title-symbol-of-the-metropolitan-swagger-and-metropolitan-angst-london?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
No words needed…
If you’re heading to the Emirates today, heed this warning from Keenos:
https://shewore.com
Why do ex footballers like David James and Don Hutchison think for one minute that Irioala is manager of the year? Pea brained idiots.
Bath@23- queues already formed at 9 am outside The Gunners and the 12 Pins. The more perspicacious among us booked a table at a suitable venue a month ago. 6 P’s.
TTG@18- fittingly for them, it’s very average Latin. The sooner they facere off the better.
Cheers 21CG for a fine preview of our final league game. It’s been a hard watch at times as the team gave its all in winning the championship after those 3 second places.The euphoria of the occasion is fully merited. It will be a strange sensation watching this match without any stress, a pleasurable feeling of calm and pleasure knowing we are the champions. Hopefully the boss will give some of the unsung squad members a run out as a thank you to them for their support of the collective. The lifting of the trophy after the match – what a moment to cherish.
I live 45 miles from London, possibly 50 from the Emirates . This morning I took my wife shopping ( she’s running out of beer ) .On a local trading estate i estimate that 1 in 3 lads under the age of 14 were wearing Arsenal shirts . I’m not insinuating they are undercover Liverpool or United fans but are they really Arsenal fans and if they aren’t does it really matter ?Arsenal are much bigger than many people realise and part of the resentment about our success lies in the fact that this explosion of joy is revealing that fact to the chagrin of Tottnumb especially . Sports Direct is doing a roaring trade in Arsenal replica shirts . It’s nice to be able to help out poor old Mike Ashley
C100@21: Thanks for that link. An excellent read with which to start what should be a most delightful day.
Oh frabjous day, calloo callay, he chortled in his joy.
Team news
GSD@20: Sadly, reliable and well-informed journalism gets rarer with the passing of each day.
Here is Liew discussing many of the themes in his piece that C100 links to @21, especially the cosmopolitanism of the club:
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/video/2026/may/22/world-cup-englands-shock-squad-and-the-politics-of-football-the-latest
Merino on the bench. Raya, Saliba and Trossard completely absent. No Salmon.
Dowman playing in the Ødegaard/Eze role?
Who gets to captain?
No idea who is captain but I guess Norgaard or Jesus
Settling down with some fellow gooners and a fridge full of
booze to watch the kings get their crown….soon be the midnight
hour here
@25 CER, can’t go wrong with the 6Ps 😃
👋 to US, OZ and France too
Great chant from the Arsenal fans
“We are unbearable
We are unbearable
We are unbearable
We are unbearable”
One nil to the Arsenal at Selhurst after Jesus converts his third, and most difficult one on one. Delicious build up from Dowman and Martinelli
Noni makes it two!
Really enjoying this one and so happy Jesus scored
Mikel Merino comes on!
I hope a group of Palace fans stay behind to cheer our boys on at the trophy lift. It will be a bit hollow if we’ve only got the Gooner section left when we get the trophy. My experience of Palace fans would suggest they’d like to see a Premier League presented even if it’s not to them !
Interesting to see Zubimendi at right back .An option for the Final ?
And Eze comes on to loud cheers from the Palace fans. Well played!
With City losing we’ve won the league by seven points!
Never in doubt!
Hungarian Alex, my North Bank buddy, caught on TV (look for the Hungarian Gooners scarf).
The trophy lift has been absurdly delayed.
Is there anyone on this planet who gives
two fucks about this Crystal Palace shit?
That sums it all up!
We have a 2025-26 GHF Predictathon Champion…and a shock late surge into the medal places…and a last-gasp escape from the relegation zone…and all the ups and downs in between over the course of the final day. You know where to find it all…
That was a wonderful presentation and celebration. Brought a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye! Hope the players enjoy tonight and are back at it tomorrow, one really big fish to fry on Saturday.
Top half of the Predictathon table for youts truly. Don’t mind if I do take a bow, but I bow even lower in recognition of the esteemed dynastic ruler Potsticker who may never be overthrown at this rate. 👍🏼
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>