Now it’s done

Declan Rice marked Arsenal’s long-awaited Premier League triumph with a playful nod to the words that became a rallying cry during the title race.

The Arsenal midfielder shared a celebratory post on Instagram after the North London club officially clinched the championship, referencing the famous phrase he was seen saying after the Gunners’ narrow defeat to Manchester City last month.

Arsenal are Premier League champions! Bournemouth trip up Man City and put the Cherry on Gunners’ celebration cake

Arsenal were confirmed as Premier League winners on Tuesday evening, ending a 22-year wait for the title, after City were held to a 1-1 draw by Bournemouth. That result left Mikel Arteta’s side four points clear at the summit with only one match remaining, putting the trophy beyond City’s reach.

Just a few weeks earlier, however, the mood had been very different. Arsenal’s 2-1 loss at the Etihad appeared to hand momentum to Pep Guardiola’s side, cutting the gap between the two teams to three points.

Despite the disappointment, Rice was caught on camera speaking to Martin Odegaard after the final whistle and insisting that 'it's not done'.

With Arsenal now crowned champions, Rice proved those words prophetic. The 27-year-old posted a selfie featuring several teammates during the title celebrations. The photo included Kai Havertz, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Eberechi Eze, William Saliba, and Bukayo Saka, accompanied by the caption: 'I told you all.. it’s done'.

Jurrien Timber, who is hoping to recover in time for the Champions League final later this month, also shared images from the squad’s celebrations on social media. The Arsenal players had assembled at their London Colney training ground to watch Manchester City’s clash with Bournemouth, knowing a favorable result would seal the title.

Although the gathering was kept under wraps, videos quickly surfaced online showing the squad erupting with joy once the final whistle confirmed they were champions.Thousands of supporters also congregated outside the Emirates Stadium to celebrate the historic achievement, with club legend Ian Wright joining the festivities.

Arsenal’s season could become even more memorable next week when they travel to Budapest for the Champions League final, where they will attempt to deny Paris Saint-Germain a second consecutive European crown.

The Gunners will formally lift the Premier League trophy after Sunday’s final-day trip to Crystal Palace, with demand for tickets soaring among fans eager to witness the occasion.

Arteta and his squad have often faced criticism for repeatedly finishing as runners-up, but those jibes have now been silenced as Arsenal secured their first major silverware since winning the FA Cup in 2020.

The club’s previous Premier League title came in 2004, when Arsene Wenger’s legendary side, inspired by Thierry Henry, completed the entire campaign unbeaten.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 37

Friday

Aston Villa - Liverpool 4-2 (1-0)

/Rogers 42, Watkins 57, 73, McGinn 89 - Van Dijk 52, 90+2/

Sunday

Manchester United - Nottingham Forest 3-2 (1-0)

/Shaw 5, Cunha 55, Mbeumo 76 - Morato 53, Gibbs-White 78/

Brentford - Crystal Palace 2-2 (1-1)

/Outtara 40,88 - Sarr 6 pen, Wharton 52/

Everton - Sunderland 1-3 (1-0)

/Rohl 43 - Brobbey 59, Le Fee 81, Isidor 90+1/

Leeds - Brighton 1-0 (0-0)

/Calvert-Lewin 90+6/

Wolves - Fulham 1-1 (1-1)

/Mane 25 - Robinson 45+3/

Newcastle - West Ham 3-1 (2-0)

/Woltemade 15, Osula 19,65 - Castellanos 69/

Monday

Arsenal - Burnley 1-0 (1-0)

/Havertz 37/

Tuesday

Bournemouth - Man. City 1-1 (0-1)

/Kroupi 39 - Haaland 90+5/

Chelsea - Tottenham 2-1 (1-0)

/Fernandez 18, Santos 67 - Richarlison 74/