“Let’s believe in miracles guys” was Mikel Arteta’s message to the faithful in the build-up to their title-deciding final game against . There was no question that they took that on board as raucous Gooners gathered in N5 in their thousands hours before the 3pm kick-off. A delightfully sunny May afternoon set the tone for a vibrant atmosphere, a sea of red and white and lime green jerseys gathering at roundabout just outside of the Emirates Stadium’s Armoury shop.
Adoring chants directed at Arteta and abuse aimed at rivals created a wave of emotion as the Arsenal team bus arrived. Never mind what was going to unfold at the Etihad Stadium, the Gunners were determined to enjoy the occasion. And why not? Their club had managed what only Liverpool had been able to against Pep Guardiola’s juggernaut of a team by pushing them to the final day of the season.
It didn’t matter that City were always likely to win their home game against , Arsenal had already achieved history this season. Arteta’s men recorded their highest number of wins and goals in a Premier League campaign, and still the title was out of their hands. In any other era, that would have been enough to clinch their first Premier League triumph in 20 years, a feat last achieved by the legendary Invincibles, who were dotted around the Emirates on the day to mark the anniversary.
Advanced pyrotechnics were used against a backdrop of Arsenal’s now-beloved anthem, the Angel by Louis Dunford, which was belte.
