Arsenal will lift the Premier League trophy on Sunday but the away end at Selhurst Park could be emotional for a number of reasons
Sunday will likely be a very emotional day for everyone associated to Arsenal Football Club.
Mikel Arteta and his squad will lift the Premier League trophy for the first time in 22 years following the clash against Crystal Palace. The Gunners will cap off an extremely successful league campaign in the best possible way and it will perhaps be the best possible preparation for the Champions League final against PSG just six days later.
Just like thousands of Arsenal supporters flocked to Emirates Stadium after Man City’s draw at Bournemouth on Tuesday night, many are once again expected to be both outside Selhurst Park and Emirates Stadium on Sunday. Pubs around north London will be packed with happy Gooners, while the 3,000 lucky enough to actually be inside Selhurst Park will witness a glorious moment in Arsenal’s history.
Arteta will want to put on a show despite the league already being wrapped up and the Spaniard insisted on Thursday that, after 48 hours of celebrating, it’s now business as usual. “We had 48 hours to enjoy the success of winning the league. Now, tomorrow and Saturday we’re going to prepare really well and we’re going to now lift again our habits and the standards that we normally do things to be the best possible way to compete,” Arteta said.
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“On Sunday, we’ll have a little window there again to celebrate, to lift the trophy in a manner that deserves it, to connect with the people that we have constantly around us. And then we’ll have six days that we need to write a new history in this football club.”
Whatever starting XI Arteta names to take on the Eagles, it may be the last time we see a number of players in Arsenal colours. It’s expected to be another busy summer transfer window at the club, football.london understands, with outgoings and incomings on the agenda.
Unlike previous seasons, the Gunners may have to offload before they can heavily invest, with the likes of £100million-plus Julian Alvarez linked with a move. Both Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard have been tipped for moves away, with Andrea Berta keen to sign a new left-sided attacker, it’s understood.
Gabriel Jesus also looks set to be sold with just one year remaining on his deal, while Christian Norgaard has played just 56 minutes in the Premier League this season and could leave just one year after arriving from Brentford.
Myles Lewis-Skelly has been afforded more minutes in recent weeks but the 19-year-old quite simply wasn’t getting the game time he needed in the months beforehand. A decision needs to be made over the Hale Ender’s future and it’s possible the Gunners cash in.
Another teenager who faces an uncertain future is Ethan Nwaneri. The Englishman has returned to London after a disappointing loan spell at Marseille and he could be at Selhurst Park on Sunday for the trophy lift and pick up a winners’ medal. Just like the other aforementioned stars, Nwaneri could well leave but a lot will depend on the player and how much interested clubs are willing to offer.
The last player who Arsenal fans may see for the final time on Sunday is Ben White. The right-back suffered a medial ligament injury in the win at West Ham, ending his season early and any chance of making England’s World Cup squad. Signed for £50million in July 2021, White could well be moved on as well, with Everton previously tracking the defender.
So, the Arsenal away end may well say goodbye to seven current stars on Sunday, making the match at Crystal Palace and subsequent trophy lift just a tad more emotional.
