As hundreds of thousands of Arsenal supporters packed a nine-mile stretch of streets in the club’s Islington home on Sunday, to celebrate the club's first Premier League title in 22 years, there was an overwhelming sense that this was not the culmination of Mikel Arteta's project.
It was merely the latest milestone.
Less than 24 hours earlier, Arsenal's players had been left devastated in Budapest after Paris Saint-Germain denied them a historic double with victory on penalties in the Champions League final. The images of Arsenal players collapsing to the turf after coming so close to European glory will linger throughout the summer. The fans I travelled back with overnight from Hungary were struggling too, though sportingly congratulating the Parisiens on their path.
But as the open-top buses rolled through north London and the Premier League trophy sparkled in the sunshine, perspective returned.
This has been one of the greatest seasons in Arsenal's modern history; Premier League champions, Champions League finalists.
And perhaps most importantly of all, a squad that looks capable of getting even better.
The hurt of Budapest was evident in the immediate aftermath. Declan Rice admitted Arsenal were "devastated" after falling agonisingly short.
"A Champions League final with penalty shootouts are a lottery," said Rice.
"You either win them or you lose them and we were on the losing end of that. But that doesn't define us this season."
Those words perfectly captured the mood around the club.
Nobody is pretending defeat does not hurt. Rice openly admitted that seeing PSG lift the trophy only strengthened Arsenal's determination to return.
"Seeing that trophy, seeing them lift it, we want that," he said.
"We want that success. So we'll be back for sure."
Captain Martin Odegaard struck a similar tone despite the obvious disappointment.
"It's pretty flat at the moment," admitted the Norwegian.
"Everyone is really disappointed. When you're that close to winning this one as well, which would have been incredible, it's tough to take."
Yet even amid the heartbreak, Odegaard was keen to stress the scale of what Arsenal have achieved.
"We've done something incredible," he said. "We've got to try to see the bigger picture."
That bigger picture is remarkably encouraging. Rice joined Arsenal and experienced Champions League quarter-final disappointment. Last season brought a semi-final exit. This year Arsenal reached the final.
The pattern mirrors their domestic rise. Three successive second-place finishes eventually became Premier League champions.
Progress has been steady, relentless and undeniable.
For many supporters lining the streets on Sunday, the celebrations were about far more than a single trophy. They were celebrating a club that has been transformed.
When Arteta arrived in December 2019, Arsenal were drifting in mid-table. The connection between players and supporters had fractured. Champions League football felt distant. The club's identity had become blurred.
Today, Arsenal are champions of England, Champions League finalists and one of the most progressive teams in world football.
The final itself underlined that evolution.
Arsenal did not look intimidated by the occasion. They scored first, matched ‘the world’s best team’ for large periods of the contest and restricted a PSG side packed with world-class talent. The difference between glory and heartbreak was ultimately measured by a handful of penalties.
Had one or two moments gone differently, Arsenal could have returned from Hungary as European champions.
Instead, they return determined to finish the job next season.
The foundations are certainly in place.
Rice, Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, Gabriel, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ebere Eze. Riccardo Calafiori, Piero Hincapie and Jurrien Timber and others form the core of a squad whose best years may still lie ahead. The experience gained from winning a title and reaching a Champions League final cannot be underestimated.
Crucially, Arsenal are entering the summer from a position of financial strength.
The Premier League title, deep Champions League run and expanding global profile are expected to push annual revenues towards a club-record £770 million, while television income alone is set to surpass £300 million for the first time in Arsenal's history.
That gives sporting director Andrea Berta and Arteta significant room to strengthen a squad that has just completed a gruelling 63-game season.
One area expected to receive attention is the left side of the attack. Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard both endured inconsistent campaigns, and adding greater creativity and goals from that flank is understood to be a priority.
Further reinforcement at full back could also be required. Ben White has battled through another injury-hit season, and there is a growing sense that the England international has sacrificed his body to Arteta's cause over the last four years.
Midfield remains under review despite the arrival of Martin Zubimendi last summer, while Arsenal may once again examine attacking options.
The idea that one elite striker is enough to navigate a 63-game campaign increasingly feels outdated. To compete across four competitions and challenge Europe's best, you may need two top forwards. Perhaps even three.
Arteta understands that reality.
Last summer Arsenal invested heavily, bringing in Viktor Gyokeres, Eze, Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera and others as part of an eight-player recruitment drive designed to take the club to the next level.
It worked. Arsenal became champions.
The challenge now is ensuring that success becomes sustainable.
The club will need to move players on and balance the books before making further significant additions, but there is little expectation inside the Emirates, due for expansion too, that Arsenal will stand still after coming so close to an historic double.
That is why Rice's words carry so much weight.
"This club has got really exciting times coming," he said. "It's been on an upward trajectory over the last few years. After winning the league we're going to go again next year. We're going to be ready."
Odegaard's message was equally clear.
"It's our job to pick everyone up and make sure we come back even better next season."
For Arsenal supporters celebrating on Sunday, that may have been the most encouraging message of all.
The disappointment of Budapest will linger. It should.
But if the last six years under Arteta have taught Arsenal anything, it is that setbacks can become stepping stones.
The journey from eighth place to Premier League champions and Champions League finalists once seemed impossible.
Now the challenge is obvious. Return. Learn. Improve.
And make sure the next parade includes the trophy they left behind in Budapest.
PSG: Safonov 6; Nuno Mendes 7, Pacho 6, Marquinhos 6, Hakimi 6; João Neves 7, Vitinha 7 (Beraldo 105), Fabian Ruiz 7 (Zaire-Emery 95); Doué 6, Dembélé 6 (Ramos 90), Kvaratskhelia 7 (Barcola 83).
Subs: Chevalier, Marin, Zabarnyi, Kang-in Lee, Lucas Hernandez, Mayulu, Dro Fernandez, Mbaye.
ARSENAL: Raya 7, Mosquera 6 (Timber 66) , Saliba 7, Gabriel 6, Hincapie 7, Rice 7, Lewis-Skelly 7 (Zubimendi 91), Odegaard 6 (Gyokeres 66), Saka 6 (Madueke 83), Havertz 7 (Eze 91), Trossard 6 (Martinelli 83).
Subs: Kepa, Jesus, Norgaard, Merino, Calafiori, Dowman.
Referee: Daniel Siebert 5 Read More