After a cathartic week of jubilant world-wide celebrations, Arsenal’s 2025/26 domestic season will come to an official close on Sunday when they lift their first Premier League trophy in 22 years at Selhurst Park.
What a season it has been for Mikel Arteta’s Gunners. After three successive second place finishes, they finally vanquished those ghosts into oblivion when Manchester City drew with Bournemouth to secure the title for Arsenal. The euphoric release in the wake of that moment has washed over
the global fanbase in spectacular fashion. The streets of London flooded with Arsenal supporters outside of the Emirates at full time, while fans across the world joined in from their couches, pubs, workplaces, and everywhere in between.
Sunday will be a celebration from first whistle to last. The nerves that had held a death grip over the club during the run in have evaporated, and all that is left in its wake is a a team of deserved champions. Not Set Piece FC. Not bottlejobs. No nearlymen. Champions.
The next 90 minutes are a formality with the outcome already decided. So kick up your feet, sit back, and enjoy the show. Arsenal are the champions of the Premier League once again.
Here are three talking points ahead of Sunday’s glorious trophy lift:
Know the Enemy
Crystal Palace enter Sunday’s final match in 15th place on 45 points with a record of 11W/12D/14L.
The Oliver Glasner era is coming to a close for the Eagles this season. While Sunday is his final Premier League match at home, he still has one last chance to add to the club’s trophy cabinet as Crystal Palace play for the UEFA Conference League title on Wednesday when they face Rayo Vellecano in Leipzig.
Palace’s season has largely been defined by Glasner’s tenuous future. Early on in the season, the rumors began to swirl that he was leaving the club when his contract expired in the summer before he confirmed it in January.
It’s a bit strange from an outside perspective. Their Premier League campaign has not been a success, but Glasner is the only manager in their history to lead them to a major trophy after they defeated Manchester City to win the FA Cup last season. He added to that haul by besting Pep once again in the Community Shield. Now, he has the potential to make it three trophies in 12 months on Wednesday with their first European title, which would inarguably make him their most successful manager of all time.
After they tried, and failed, to get Sunday’s match rescheduled to Saturday to help with their final prep, it’s a bit of a foregone conclusion that Palace will rest key players where possible, much like Arsenal will do ahead of next weekend’s Champions League final. I don’t think anyone would be opposed to a little gentleman’s agreement for a nice, low-stress kick-about with the boys.
Injuries & Suspensions
At this stage, the biggest concern would be the potential hangovers the players have been nursing since they started celebrating on Tuesday night.
On Monday night, the only scare came when David Raya was on the receiving end of a reckless challenge by Zian Flemming that left the keeper on the pitch for a few minutes. Whether he is hurt or not, why risk him in a dead rubber match?
Mikel Merino made his return to first team training this week following a four month absence following a foot surgery. His return before the CL final is an incredible boost to the midfield and morale of the club.
OUT: Jurrien Timber (groin), Ben White (knee)
DOUBT: N/A
Predicted Lineup
Attack: Martinelli, Gyökeres, Madueke
With the league wrapped up, it’s time to let the bulk of the starters take the bench and enjoy the most stressless match of the season from the sidelines.
Gabriel Martinelli has seen less of the pitch in recent matches with Leandro Trossard’s resurgence. He has been one of the longest serving players at the club and a relentless workhorse when called upon. What better time to give him a start than the day the Gunners raise the Premier League trophy?
Viktor Gyökeres deserves his flowers and a start. His first season hasn’t been as prolific as he or the fans would have hoped, but he has accomplished what we all hoped would happen when he signed and help us win a title. With his third top-flight title in a row secured, the big Swede starts up top.
On the right, flip a coin. Either Noni Madueke or Max Dowman could or should start before Bukayo Saka comes on in the dying moments to see out the match and lift the trophy. Hell, start Win the dog for all I care. It makes no difference.
Midfield: MLS, Nørgaard, Eze
Eberechi Eze’s return to Selhurst Park could not have been scripted any better. He left the club as an FA Cup champion and returns a Premier League winner. That guard of honor is going to be emotional for the lifelong Arsenal fan and former Eagle.
Myles Lewis-Skelly has enjoyed a fantastic end-of-season renaissance after 7 months of being resigned to backup duty. The Hale End product epitomizes the resurgence of the academy under the departing Per Mertesacker and has become a fan favorite with his tenacity and dogged work rate.
Christian Nørgaard’s season has been a relative footnote in the grand scheme of things. Still, he has never once kicked up a fuss at his lack of playing time. If he ends up leaving at season’s end, it will be on the highest note. Mikel Merino is back, but one would have to assume that he is not close to a start.
Defense: Hincapie, Gabriel, Mosquera, Salmon
It won’t be a full moon over London, unless Hincapie recreates his lurid moment from the Burnley match. The on-loan left back has become a massive cog in the unstoppable defensive machine Arteta has built. Starting an Invincible for the Gunners on the day they lift the trophy just feels right.
Big Gabi has been the emotional lifeblood of the club. Over six seasons, he has been central to Arteta’s famed process, and should be wearing the captain’s armband as he leads the side out onto the pitch.
Cristhian Mosquera has enjoyed an exceptional debut season at Arsenal. It’s hard to believe he is only 21 years of age. He plays well above his age and the sky is the limit for him. With Saliba likely rested, he shifts to center back to pair with Gabi.
Marli Salmon could make his PL debut with a start for the first team on Sunday. The 16 year old defender has already seen the pitch in the Champions League and FA Cup this season. He seems destined to be the next academy starlet, and he can cap off a year of tremendous growth on Sunday with a start.
Keeper: Kepa
The journeyman keeper will join former Chelsea players Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke when he finally claim his first PL title on Sunday to accompany his La Liga and Champions League accolades.
For many, the reality that Arsenal are Premier League champions has not fully settled in yet. After 22 years, it still feels like a surreal fever dream at times, but decades of taking dog’s abuse from every rival under the sun following so many failed campaigns will do that to you. Thankfully, it will all become unquestionably, emphatically real when the full time whistle blows and the Gunners get to take the podium with the Premier League trophy in hand as they have returned to the top of English football once more.
Enjoy the moment, folks. They have earned it. We have earned it.
WHO: Arsenal at Crystal Palace
WHAT: Premier League match day 38
WHEN: Sunday, May 24th, 11:00am EST/8:00am PST/4:00pm GMT
WHERE: Selhurst Park, London
HOW TO WATCH: Broadcast live on CNBC
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