Arsenal have claimed their first Premier League title in over two decades, though a handful of players may not qualify for winners’ medals when the trophy is lifted on Sunday.
Arteta’s side secured the title with narrow consecutive victories over West Ham and Burnley, staying ahead of Manchester City throughout a tense run-in. City needed a win at Bournemouth to keep the pressure on, but Haaland’s late equaliser only earned them a draw, ending Arsenal’s long wait for the championship after several near-misses.
Captain Martin Odegaard will lift the trophy at Selhurst Park in Sunday’s final-day fixture against Crystal Palace. To qualify for a medal, players must have made at least five league appearances — a rule previously set at ten. Most of the squad comfortably meet this requirement. Midfielder Christian Norgaard, who arrived in the summer, qualifies with six league outings, while teenage sensation Max Dowman also makes the cut after five appearances, including a goal and assist against Everton. He becomes the youngest player ever to win the Premier League title. Ethan Nwanieri also qualifies despite his January loan move to Marseille, having made six league appearances beforehand.
The most notable player set to miss out is backup goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. Despite playing 11 times across all competitions, the former Chelsea man made no league appearances, with David Raya — who won the Golden Glove — playing every league minute. Third-choice goalkeeper Tommy Setford is similarly ineligible, his only appearance coming as a late substitute in an FA Cup tie against Wigan. The 20-year-old Ajax academy product featured on the bench in several Champions League matches but was absent from all Premier League squads.
Sixteen-year-old defender Marli Salmon is another who may miss out, having played four times across competitions without making his league debut.
That said, Arsenal are entitled to distribute 40 medals at their discretion, meaning all three could still receive one. Any additional medals beyond that allocation would require Premier League approval under special circumstances.
The title is Arsenal’s 14th league championship overall, and the club could still cap off a historic season by winning the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest on 30 May.
