Arsenal has won the Premier League title after 22 years of waiting, despite all doubts about their playing style, tactical approach and criticisms that have lasted throughout the season for Mikel Arteta's team.
From "VARSENAL", "dead football club" to Paul Scholes' harsh comment that this could be "the worst champion in Premier League history", Arsenal still stood firm and raised the trophy in their own way.
The moment captain Martin Odegaard raised the Premier League title at Selhurst Park will certainly become a symbolic image for a new generation of Arsenal under Arteta.
Throughout the season, Arsenal has been constantly criticized for their playing style being considered pragmatic, unattractive and too dependent on set pieces. Even Liverpool coach Arne Slot hinted that this is an "unusual champion" when nearly 40% of their goals come from dead balls.
But all of that is no longer important when Arsenal is the top team after 38 rounds. In fact, many criticisms for The Gunners have ignored an important detail: their opponent often pulls the whole squad deep to defend in numbers.
This season, Arsenal is the team with the most shots in the Premier League in the context that the opponent arranges at least 9 players in the penalty area. Even Manchester City once played with a 5-man defense and only held the ball 33.2% at Emirates - a record low rate under Pep Guardiola. And that forced Arteta to adapt.
Not owning a striker who scored 35 goals or a perfect attack throughout the season due to continuous injuries, Arsenal is forced to look for advantages in all other aspects. That is defense, discipline, dead ball and match control. And they have done it almost perfectly.
The Gunners" ended the season without receiving any red cards or penalties - unprecedented in Premier League history. They also scored the most goals from set pieces in the league.
More importantly, Arsenal's defense is so excellent that since the two consecutive defeats against Bournemouth and Manchester City in April, no team has scored against them from a live ball. That is the foundation that helps Arsenal overcome the most difficult times of the season, especially when Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka or the attack continuously suffer injuries.
Arteta admitted that he was worried that the championship would slip out of his hands in two periods before Christmas and after the FIFA Days in March. But Arsenal still overcame everything with bravery and stability.
They don't always play explosive football like Man City at their peak. But Arsenal wins in the way that true champions often do - sure, cold and effective.
7 1-0 victories this season are the clearest proof of that identity. Arsenal may not be the most attractive Premier League champion in history. But after many years of being criticized for not knowing how to win, they have now proven the opposite. Arsenal is the strongest team in England in the 2025-2026 season.
It's very difficult to describe in words. This is a wonderful moment. There are so many emotions, joy and pride. The way we won today represents what the players are feeling and is the reason why this miracle happened" - Arteta emotionally shared.
