Arsenal close the season with victory over Palace and celebrate Premier League title ahead of Champions League final.

Crystal Palace 1–2 Arsenal: champions, mature and still hungry ahead of the European final

Premier League | Selhurst Park | May 24, 2026

Arsenal stepped onto the pitch already crowned Premier League champions.

But they played like a team whose mission still was not complete.

At a Selhurst Park filled with the symbolism of their league triumph, the Gunners defeated Crystal Palace 2–1 on the final day of the season and closed out their domestic campaign in exactly the same way they built their title run:

With control.

With maturity.

And with the feeling that something even bigger may still be waiting ahead.

Mikel Arteta’s side had already mathematically secured the title after Manchester City dropped points against Bournemouth.

And before kickoff, the afternoon’s most symbolic moment had already arrived.

Crystal Palace formed the traditional guard of honour to welcome the new English champions onto the pitch.

The gesture perfectly summed up this Premier League season: Arsenal finished on top because they knew how to deliver in the defining moments of the title race.

Even with the Champions League final still on the horizon, Arteta used the final league match to rotate heavily.

Players such as Gabriel Jesus, Dowman, Norgaard, Kepa and Mosquera were all handed starts.

But the competitive intensity remained exactly the same.

A dominant Arsenal even at controlled tempo

Arsenal began the match completely controlling possession and territory.

Even without their strongest XI, the team maintained quick circulation, aggressive counter-pressing and fluid attacking movement.

Just four minutes in, Gabriel Jesus struck the post.

Soon after, at 11 minutes, the Brazilian found himself through one-on-one with Dean Henderson but shot straight at the goalkeeper despite having a passing option available.

Palace were comfortable defending deep and looked to break mainly through the flanks.

At 14 minutes, Daniel Muñoz forced Kepa into an excellent save after a powerful header inside the box.

But control of the match clearly remained with the champions.

By the 26th minute, Arsenal already had 70% possession and had created four big chances.

The goal felt inevitable.

And it arrived at 42 minutes.

Gabriel Martinelli drove through the middle before releasing Gabriel Jesus into space. The Brazilian forward finished calmly past Henderson.

1–0 Arsenal.

Even in celebration mode, Arsenal still played with competitive hunger.

Emotional control and eyes on the next final

The second half started exactly the way the first had ended.

With Arsenal controlling the game.

Just two minutes after the restart, following a corner and a headed flick-on from Havertz, Madueke arrived to finish and double the lead.

2–0.

Palace tried to increase their attacking presence as the half progressed.

But struggled to turn possession into real threat.

Arsenal managed the tempo, the spaces and even their physical energy with the Champions League final clearly in mind.

Arsenal looked like a side fully comfortable with what they have become.

At 89 minutes, Mateta pulled one back with a precise header from a cross delivered from the left.

2–1.

But the result never truly felt under threat.

The final whistle quickly turned into celebration.

Players walked toward the away end to celebrate the Premier League title officially with the travelling supporters at Selhurst Park.

Gabriel Jesus — Man of the Match | 1 goal, 4 shots and a dominant attacking display | Sofascore Rating: 8.3

Champions — but still chasing more

Arsenal finish the Premier League as English champions for the first time in 22 years.

And perhaps the most impressive aspect was the way the title was built.

Arteta’s side navigated the run-in maintaining intensity, emotional stability and competitive consistency despite relentless pressure from Manchester City.

Arsenal did not win the league simply because they played well.

They won it because they learned how to survive the defining moments of a season.

Now, all attention shifts toward the Champions League final.

And there is an unavoidable feeling growing around north London:

This Arsenal side may still turn a historic season into something even greater.

Players celebrate at the training ground after City’s draw last week officially crowned Arsenal Premier League champions.

What it means

This final day felt less about competitive tension — and more about confirmation.

Arsenal arrived already crowned champions.

But left reinforcing exactly why they finished above everyone else.

Crystal Palace competed hard and still have a European final ahead against Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League.

But the day belonged to Arsenal.

To their supporters.

And to a team that has relearned how to rule England.

Some titles are celebrated.

Others feel like the end of one era and the beginning of another.

This Arsenal side gives every sign of being the second kind.