For a generation of Arsenal supporters, this was a day they feared might never come.
Those 22 years after previously lifting the Premier League had weighed heavy. A mass congregation outside the Emirates on May 19, the night Arsenal were confirmed as champions after Manchester City drew to Bournemouth, wasn’t enough.
Nor was the previous Sunday, where fans did the same again, the Gunners having lifted the title at Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park.
The mockery, the ‘bottler’ jibes, the three consecutive seasons as runners-up had taken its toll.
It is why the north London club’s plan for a bus parade was met with an appetite which put the capital in a state of gridlock; this is what two decades of anguish creates.
The disappointment of Saturday night’s Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain had already evaporated.
Arriving into London St Pancras International station from Budapest, Arsenal fans were out in their droves. Seas of red and white shirts could be seen snaking ahead in the distance for many a metre at 9am.
Multiple tube stations were shut. Pathways were jammed. The roof of Highbury and Islington station was occupied by fans.
The PSG loss pained these supporters and Mikel Arteta in the immediate aftermath; losing via a penalty shootout is a heart-wrenching way to fall short of a first European Cup in Arsenal’s 140-year history.
Yet, by the time the team bus reached the Emirates, the achievement of winning the league had taken centre stage amid the plumes of red smoke and noisy air horns.
Co-chair Josh Kroenke, with a red cup to hand, pumped his fist in the air, shouting ‘Arsenal, Arsenal!’ in the manner of a fan on the terraces. He was wearing a t-shirt with the faces of William Saliba and Gabriel on it, 24 hours after the Brazilian’s sky-high penalty miss against PSG.
Declan Rice sang, ‘Set-piece again, ole, ole’ on the megaphone, to the delight of attendees who sing those words week in, week out at matches to embrace the team’s liking of scoring from corners, to the dismay of rivals who sneer at the craft.
He also led fans in a rendition of his own chant, rapping all the words to the Vanilla Ice hit ‘Ice Ice Baby’.
Arsenal co-chair Josh Kroenke was heavily involved as fans gathered to celebrate their triumph
It is understood more than 500,000 Arsenal fans gathered along the parade route
It’s a club which understands and resonates with their fanbase, as seen by Kroenke’s presence. That disconnect between Kroenke Sports and Entertainment and the club from previous years is no longer there.
Titles are also won through togetherness, as well as talent. The connection can’t be faked.
Ben White jokingly told Piero Hincapie to ‘get your bum out’, referencing the defender’s unfortunate mishap against Burnley, where his shorts got undone when sliding on the turf.
Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard entertained the crowd with various jokes. Arteta beamed from ear to ear, the trophy often close to him.
The fans in attendance came from across the globe to witness the historic day.
Vish Kumar, 41, a consultant based in Dubai, said: ‘I arrived last Sunday for the parade. I think it’s a return to the glory days, the future is very bright.
‘It’s amazing to be here, I could not have imagined so many people turning up. It’s beyond my wildest expectations.’
Many fathers with young children were around, too, for they know all too well how rare these occasions can be for Arsenal.
Joe Lewis, 39, a teacher from Gloucester was at the parade with seven-year-old son James sat on his shoulders.
‘For the two of us to do it together is amazing,’ he said.
Gunners fans came from far and wide to celebrate the title win with their heroes
‘The first memory I had was us winning the League Cup and FA Cup (in 1993) and it wasn’t long until we won the league and the FA Cup (in 1998). Him (son) getting to see it early is special.
‘I wouldn’t have come if it weren’t for James. To see the players close up will stay with him.’
Long after the bus had disappeared from view, fans remained packed in the streets, reluctant for the day to end.
Having waited more than two decades, they were determined to savour every last moment.
You could not blame the champions of England one bit.
