So the final whistle goes at Selhurst Park, and the red half of north London can finally exhale. Arsenal have rounded off their Premier League coronat...
So the final whistle goes at Selhurst Park, and the red half of north London can finally exhale. Arsenal have rounded off their Premier League coronation with a 2. 1 victory over Crystal Palace, a result that felt less like a contest and more like a victory lap with a bit of edge. For the neutrals, it was a tidy advert for the quality of the champions. For the purist, it was a masterclass in seeing out a game when the mind is already on the open top bus parade.The Gunners, perhaps a little loose and generous given the dead rubber nature of the fixture, still showed the tactical flexibility that has defined their season. Roy Hodgson's Palace, to their credit, did not roll over. They sat in a low block for much of the first half, asking questions of Arsenal's patience. But there is a ruthlessness about this Arsenal side now, a cold bloodedness in transitional play that was lacking in previous campaigns. When the chance came, clinical finishing made the difference. You cannot gift this Arsenal team a half yard in the box. They will punish you.Was it a perfect performance No. The defensive line switched off once, and Palace exploited it with a well worked goal that had the home crowd roaring. But here is the mark of a champion: they did not wobble. In seasons gone by, that equaliser would have triggered squeaky bum time, a frantic spell of slapstick errors. Not today. Arsenal simply reasserted control, kept the ball, and waited for the next opening. That is the hallmark of a side that has learned how to win ugly and win pretty. That is how you get your hands on the trophy.For Mikel Arteta, this final day was validation of a long held belief. He has built a side that can dominate possession but also dig in. The celebrations at full time were not raucous, they were respectful. A nod to the travelling support, a lap of appreciation, and a quiet satisfaction. This was not the day for drama. This was the day for confirmation. Arsenal are champions of England, and they finished the job the only way they know how: on the front foot, with purpose, and with three points in the bag.
