British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has taken time out from navigating his own turbulent political landscape to congratulate his beloved soccer club, Arsenal, on clinching the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years.
Starmer's Joyous Message
“22 long years for the Arsenal,” Starmer posted on X shortly after the title was secured late Tuesday. “But finally, we’re back where we belong. Champions!” For Starmer, a lifelong Arsenal supporter, this victory provided a welcome reprieve from mounting political pressure. His Labour Party suffered dismal results in local and regional elections on May 7, prompting dozens of Labour lawmakers to call for his resignation, a Cabinet member to step down, and a popular rival, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, to seek a parliamentary seat to challenge Starmer for party leadership.
Arsenal's Triumph Over Manchester City
In a season-long battle, Arsenal outlasted fierce rival Manchester City to claim English soccer's top prize. The celebrations extended deep into the night, with midfielder Eberechi Eze sharing Instagram posts as late as 5 a.m. local time. One image showed captain Martin Odegaard leaning back with an Arsenal-branded bottle in his mouth, a likely retort to critics who labeled the team “bottlers” after three consecutive second-place finishes in the Premier League and no major silverware since 2020.
Odegaard is set to lift the Premier League trophy following Arsenal's away match against Crystal Palace on Sunday, the final day of the league season. Social media footage captured several players, including Eze, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, and Jurrien Timber, strolling around the club's Emirates Stadium as dawn broke.
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Associated Press writer Jill Lawless in London contributed to this story.
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