FIFA Women’s Champions Cup

North London Swells with Thousands for the Champions Parade

The atmosphere in N5 was electric as the club’s men’s and women’s teams took to the streets to mark the end of a memorable 2025/26 campaign. The parade, which began and concluded at Emirates Stadium, wound through Holloway Road, Essex Road, and Seven Sisters Road. Fans lined the route, creating a sea of red and white to toast the men’s side for their first Premier League title since 2004 and the women’s side for their recent FIFA Champions Cup success. The celebration was not just a victory lap but a high-energy spectacle. As documented in the club’s feature video of the parade, the two-hour event included massive tifo displays and constant interaction between the players and the adoring crowds. One particularly striking moment involved the reveal of a tifo that fans had first witnessed during a 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in November 2025.

Sunglasses, Tifos, and a Police Officer: The Bus Highlights

While the trophies were the main attraction, the open-top bus became a stage for various comedic and chaotic moments. The atmosphere was lighthearted, with players frequently engaging in jokes and playful antics.

• The Missing Shades: A pair of sunglasses, last seen on Martinelli’s face, was famously thrown from the bus.
• The Heading Incident: Captain Martin Odegaard attempted to show off his heading skills by kicking a ball into the crowd, only to accidentally strike a police officer walking alongside the vehicle.
• The Foliage Prank: Goalkeeper David Raya was caught using foliage to playfully poke striker Viktor Gyokeres as he showed off the new silverware.
• Tech on Tour: Ben White was spotted leading the singing while wearing Meta glasses, which were also used by Odegaard to capture the view of the supporters.

The musical energy was just as high. Throughout the route, renditions of Louis Dunford’s “The Angel” rang out, with players like Declan Rice and Olivia Smith visibly moved by the thousands of voices singing the anthem. According to Arsenal’s recap of the incredible moments, the passion was palpable, especially as Lotte Wubben-Moy led the chanting to drive the celebration forward.

Personal Milestones Amidst the Trophy Celebrations

Beyond the collective joy, the parade provided a platform for players to reflect on their individual journeys and the grit required to secure the titles. For some, the season was a story of resilience; Merino noted the difficulty of the campaign, describing it as a “really hard season with ups and downs” after returning from a long injury. For David Raya, the season was defined by both individual accolades and a deep sense of gratitude. The goalkeeper, who secured three consecutive Golden Gloves, looked back on the personal sacrifice required to reach this level of professional success.

“Winning three Golden Gloves in a row never crossed my mind but as soon as you get the first one you think maybe it’s a one-off. Then when you get the second and third one, it’s not just me, it’s the whole team.”

David Raya, via Arsenal Raya also took a moment to credit his parents for their courage in allowing him to move to a different country at age 16 to pursue his footballing dreams, despite the language and cultural barriers he faced.

A Hunger for More Next Season

Despite the exhaustion that usually follows a title-winning campaign, the sentiment among the squad is far from being finished. The parade served as a celebration of what has been achieved, but it also functioned as a warning to the rest of the league. Declan Rice, visibly moved by the scale of the celebration, expressed a desire to return even stronger. As players shared their reflections with presenters, Rice admitted to being “speechless” by the joy the team has brought to the supporters.

“I love this team, I love this manager. To see the joy we can give people, it’s crazy, but next year we’re coming back for more.”

Declan Rice, via Arsenal This competitive edge was echoed by Kai Havertz, whose enthusiastic shouts of ARSENAL! ARSENAL! ARSENAL! ARSENAL! punctuated the afternoon. With the men’s side ending a 22-year drought and the women’s side cementing their dominance with the FIFA Champions Cup, the club enters the off-season not just as champions, but as a powerhouse looking to build a lasting dynasty.