Arsenal parade: Team to travel through north London for Premier League celebrations – BBC

Arsenal Premier League Victory Parade
BBC News
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The Arsenal victory parade is in full swing, with players making their way through north London on open-top buses – watch live scenes above
"Our team is back on top," one fan, Geraldine tells us. And even those who couldn't attend are cheering the team on – "I am with all the players and fans in spirit today," Liam says
Also celebrating at the parade are the Arsenal Women's team who, back in February, lifted the first-ever Women's Champions Cup.
Arsenal WFC have their shades on as they wade through a sea of red smoke to celebrate with fans, with one of them telling the BBC it's "so cool seeing the actual players"
Tips and tricks: Here's how today's events will affect travel in the capital, and here's how the weather's looking
Edited by Rorey Bosotti and Angus Thompson, with reporting from BBC Sport
Matt Graveling
Sports reporter, at the parade
As the victory parade comes to a close, you can bet some people will be heading to the pub, while others will hang around and enjoy the party.
They don't know how long they're going to have to wait to do this again.
Most people I've been speaking to today don't think it's going to be another 22 years, but you never know.
Out of all the events I've ever covered in my 15 years as a broadcast journalist, this is without doubt the biggest event I've seen, people wise, in any sport across any country.
These are memories that last a lifetime.
The Arsenal teams and staff have made it back to Emirates Stadium.
After a two-and-a-half hour loop around north London, and a 22-year wait, it doesn't look like fans are ready for the celebrations to end quite yet.
It's not just street level that's standing room only.
The rooftops are getting crowded too as almost everyone in north London scrambles for a glimpse of the victors as they pass.
Arsenal fans are giving the saying 'painting the town red' a whole new meaning today.
If you can't see the parade for the smoke – like this family earlier, you can always follow the live stream at the top of the page.
Emma Jones
BBC London
We've just bumped into three generations of Arsenal fans.
Grandmother Val Fenner – from Hertfordshire – has been a fan 40 years. She's with her daughter Carly Bowers and Carly's sons.
Carly was in Budapest for the Champions League Final last night
"It was a really good experience. Sadly not meant to be… this time – but I am so proud of the team."
Andree Massiah
BBC News
Grace Abwooli says that she's not a fan of the club, but the red and white vibes are contagious.
She tells us: "I’m at home watching the parade with my four-month-old baby. I’m not an Arsenal fan myself, but I have friends and family who are. Hats off to Arsenal — it’s lovely to see everyone in such happy spirits despite yesterday’s loss. Congratulations on a fantastic season.
"It’s great to see such happy spirits and beautiful chaos in North London! Let’s continue with this same energy for the World Cup!"
Andree Massiah
BBC News
More now from club fans who couldn't make it to the parade:
Liam Sinnott says a bout of chickenpox has kept his family at home.
"I could not go to the parade as my two young daughters have chicken pox. Been a supporter of Arsenal since 1986 and this title means the most out of all the First Division and Premier League trophies I've experienced as a fan of the Gunners. I am with all the players and fans in spirit today. COYG – North London is red."
And Chris Carter-Gordon has been thwarted by injury.
"Watching from home with a broken ankle – so excited for (and jealous of!) my husband and friends who are watching in the crowd. I’ll be at the next one, promise!!"
Chemotherapy tomorrow for Jonathan Patrick's son means the pair have stayed in – but spirits are high, he says:
"My two sons watching the Arsenal parade today, would of loved to been there but my eldest son is off for chemotherapy tomorrow morning, but watching Arsenal show off the Premier League trophy is putting a smile on his face."
The buses are still going, with the players of both Arsenal FC and Arsenal WFC slowly making their way down Essex Road, towards Angel.
The crowd is not thinning – and the clouds of red smoke aren't either.
Emily Brown
BBC News, at the parade
It’s an amazing atmosphere here in north London. There’s a cloud of red smoke from the flares, making the area feel even more red today.
We’ve spoken to people who live just metres away from the stadium and have been talking about the sense of community since Arsenal were crowned Premier League champions a few days ago.
"People have actually been talking to each other in the street!" one resident tells me.
North London is very much alive.
"You're speaking to two elderly ladies who have known Arsenal since when we were small," lifetime fan Theresa tells the BBC's Emily Brown at the parade.
Theresa was born streets away from Arsenal's Emirates stadium. "So you could say I've been a fan since I was born," she says.
While Theresa and Mary did see Arsenal win the same trophy 22 years ago, Theresa says, "it has been a long time since Arsenal has had anything to scream and roar about".
Theresa, who still lives in the area, says everybody has been in great spirits over the last week, waving and congratulating passers-by.
"And now, we're all together," Mary says.
That includes one of Arsenal's youngest fans, Freddy, whose mum Jo says he has no choice in the matter.
Ever wondered what a sea of fans bathed in red flare looks like through sunglasses?
Donning their shades, Arsenal WFC's players are taking the time to bask in the victory of their Champions Cup title back in February.
And if you need a refresher on what happened three months ago, check our earlier post.
The BBC has spoken to two young fans along the parade route who say they are very much enjoying the day.
"It's just so cool seeing the actual players, I've only ever actually seen them on TV. It's just so different seeing them in real life," the young girl says.
"I was waiving at [Alessia] Russo, she waved back."
The boy adds: "It means a lot seeing them in real life, it gives me a lot of inspiration to be a professional footballer when I'm older."
Amid the celebrations we’ve also spotted someone watching our live coverage – hello!
If you're not at the parade ground, remember you can watch our live stream at the top of the page.
It will be as if you're right there!
"I had to be here because I waited 22 years for this," one fan tells the BBC.
He says he was only nine-years-old when Arsenal last won this trophy in the legendary Invincibles season – where they didn't lose a single Premier League game.
He says today is "one of the best days of my life".
Chris Slegg
BBC London sports journalist, at the parade
The fans and the players are united as the victory bus passes through north London, bringing that Premier League trophy that they have waited so long to see again in this part of London.
You can see the trophy glinting through that red smoke.
"North London forever!" rings around Seven Sisters Road and confetti, gold and red are everywhere.

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Some of Arsenal's biggest fans are parked on Drayton Park Road, where the victory bus has passed.
"We loved it," one young fan, who managed to spot Declan Rice on the open top bus, tells the BBC.
Another says: "After 22 years, this is the time that we needed it most."
The crowds are more than 20 deep as the buses continue to make their way along the route.
"Arsenal, Arsenal, Arsenal," is being chanted as the players make their way.
There's so much red smoke at points it must be hard to see what's going on – a huge celebration in north London.
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