It's finally over!! This torturous season of the Premier League is finally done with one game remaining, and in the best way: Arsenal are the champions!!

It's hard to put into words what this means to me, and to Arsenal fans in general.

When Arsenal last won the Premier League 22 years ago, I almost took for granted that they were going to win it every couple of years. During my adolescent years, they won it in 1998, 2002, and 2004. This blog was in its first year of existence back in 2004, and it barely rated a mention (even though that was the unprecedented 'Invincibles' season!).

22 years later, there have been some agonisingly close calls, especially in the past few years. Lots of heartbreak, being branded 'bottlers' after throwing away leads, memes, jokes, and alike. Well, that's all done now.

Never in my time have Arsenal fans been so consistently tortured all season long by tight, grindy, nail-biting games. I can't remember who said it around the turn of the year, but it was along the lines of "We're going to win it, and I'm going to hate every moment up to it".

This gif sums up my reaction this morning:

There's been lots of iconic moments. The last minute winners, the determination, the setbacks. Three really stand out to me.

1. In March, 16-year-old Max Dowman's runaway goal against Everton to seal that win.

2. Immediately after full-time in the demoralising defeat to Manchester City in late April (where Arsenal had surrendered their points lead), Declan Rice telling his teammates "It's not done":

3. VAR (rightly) overturning the last minute West Ham equalizer last week, with those now-immortal words from the referee:

After review, West Ham number 19 commits a foul on the goalkeeper. Final decision is direct free kick.

Cue Arsenal delirium.

This achievement has been made more special experiencing this with my family. 22 years ago, I wasn't even engaged to Des yet, let alone married for 20 years and with 2 kids. After raising my kids in an Arsenal family the past 10 years (my duty, but maybe arguably also a form of child abuse? 😜), the girls are old enough now to understand this and share in the joy with me.

Things aren't completely over this season! Next weekend Arsenal still have the small inconvenience of a Champions League final to play 😜. Just thinking about that game makes me feel sick, especially as the last time they were in one (20 years ago) is probably my worst football memory.