Full Breakdown
Arsenal's Title-Clinching Finale: Squad Rotation, First Premier League Starts and Medal Allocation
5/24/2026, 9:00:49 PM
Final Match – Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
On Sunday, 24 May 2026, Arsenal faced Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park for matchday 38. With title secured, Mikel Arteta made nine changes, giving first league starts to goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, defensive midfielder Christian Nørgaard and 16-year-old Max Dowman. Gabriel Jesus captained a side that featured Myles Lewis-Skelly, Martin Zúñi Mendi, Cristhian Mosquera, Piero Hincapié, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli. Oliver Glasner similarly rotated Palace ahead of their UEFA Conference League final.
Season Context and Upcoming European Finals
Arsenal’s title was confirmed on 22 May 2026 after Manchester City drew 1-1 with AFC Bournemouth, leaving the Gunners four points clear with one game left. The club turns to Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest on 2 June. Palace, 15th with 45 points, are preparing for Conference League final versus Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig on 5 June, and managers signalled a low-risk approach to avoid injuries.
Rotation Strategy and Official Remarks
Arteta told Sky Sports the rotation “is a reward to the members of his squad who played their part in their title-winning campaign,” adding Max Dowman “created a moment during this season that something changed as well and the people has contributed, I think deserves to be on that pitch.” Regulars David Raya, William Saliba and Leandro Trossard were omitted; bench: Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, Eberechi Eze, Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyökeres and Mikel Merino. Injuries to Jurrien Timber (groin) and Ben White (knee) shaped the lineup.
Medal Allocation and Distribution
The Premier League awards 40 medals to champions. Twenty-four Arsenal players met the five-appearance rule, including David Raya, Martin Zúñi Mendi, Declan Rice, Viktor Gyökeres, Eberechi Eze, Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Magalhães, William Saliba, Jurrien Timber and others. The remaining sixteen medals go to goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, backup Tommy Setford and staff including manager Mikel Arteta and assistants Albert Stuivenberg, Gabriel Heinze, Miguel Molina, Nicolas Jover and Inaki Cana. Marli Salmon and Andre Harriman-Annous have been cited as possible recipients, but no official list has been published.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The club has not released an official list of medal recipients beyond the 24 eligible players, and sources differ on which staff will receive the remaining medals.
What Lies Ahead: Champions League and Conference League Finals
Arsenal travel to Budapest for Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain on 2 June; Crystal Palace face Rayo Vallecano in Conference League final in Leipzig on 5 June. Both matches offer a chance for European silverware.
Verbatim Quotes
> “We had a big talk at the start of the season about each individual roles and how this is going to change and how we're going to have to adapt and and be humble and be ready to to help and impact the team and I think we've been incredible at doing that,” — Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager
> “Max, he needs to be there because he created a moment during this season that something changed as well and the people has contributed, I think deserves to be on that pitch.” — Mikel Arteta, Sky Sports interview
