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Spike Lee, Jason Sudeikis and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani were among the Arsenal supporters celebrating inside a crowded Brooklyn bar as the Gunners defeated Crystal Palace and claimed their first Premier League title since 2004.

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — It was 9 a.m. on a rainy Sunday in Fort Greene, and the streets were glistening under a downpour. Yet, the neighbourhood was alive with flashes of red and white as Arsenal fans filled every corner, refusing to let the weather dampen their spirits. For many, this was the day they had waited nearly two decades to experience.

Outside FancyFree, umbrellas merged into a massive red-and-white canopy. Inside, the windows fogged up as the crowd pressed for any glimpse of the screens. The Brooklyn Invincibles, one of the city’s most passionate Arsenal supporter groups, had turned the bar into their own Emirates Stadium away from home.

Technically, Arsenal had already secured their 14th league title earlier in the week when Bournemouth and Manchester City drew 1-1. It was an unusual way to seal the championship, with one match still to play. But Sunday’s clash with Crystal Palace was less about mathematics and more about making the triumph feel tangible.

And in Brooklyn, it did. The surrounding delis and coffee shops seemed unaware of the storm of joy taking over their block. Fans arrived with their own drinks and snacks, squeezing for a view through foggy windows. Inside, Guinness pints, crisps and drenched jerseys filled the room alongside familiar faces — Mayor Zohran Mamdani, filmmaker Spike Lee and ‘Ted Lasso’ star Jason Sudeikis.

For a fan base that has endured years of jokes and heartbreak, Sunday carried a different energy. It was a moment of validation — a sense that being an Arsenal fan finally meant being part of something celebrated. Maybe it was the city’s lingering basketball buzz, or maybe it was just the magnitude of the occasion, but for a few hours, Arsenal felt like New York’s own team.

By kickoff, FancyFree had already hit full capacity for two hours. Rain or shine, long queues or poor visibility — none of it mattered. After 22 years, Arsenal were champions again, and everyone just wanted to witness the crowning moment.

A title celebration in the rain

When the match began, the roars and chants almost drowned out the commentary. There was hardly space to move, yet there was endless room for singing, cheering and raising glasses. Custom bottles with red labels reading “Bottled It” were passed around — a cheeky nod to critics that Arsenal fans proudly embraced. Every kind of Arsenal jersey imaginable could be spotted among the crowd.

The presence of Mamdani, Lee and Sudeikis added to the surreal atmosphere. Mamdani slipped in a few minutes after kickoff, sporting a simple Arsenal scarf. The bar erupted as he entered. Nearby, Spike Lee, in an Arsenal Christmas sweater, brought a festive energy to the celebration.

As the chants intensified, the joy became infectious. Rain outside, sweat inside — none of it mattered. Arsenal were champions, and the faithful were ready to see them crowned.

‘Whatever the weather, we won the league’

The mantra inside the bar was simple: “Whatever the weather, we won the league.”

That sentiment resonated with fans both inside, packed shoulder to shoulder, and those drenched outside under umbrellas. The rain poured in Brooklyn even as Selhurst Park looked bright on screen. Still, the songs never stopped.

Manager Mikel Arteta made several changes to his starting lineup, including Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke. Both brought energy and excitement to the match. Jesus came close to scoring within the first few minutes, denied only by a Palace defender’s clearance off the line. His persistence paid off in the 41st minute when he netted the opener, sending FancyFree into absolute chaos.

The tension briefly returned late in the match when Palace pulled one back in the 88th minute and almost equalised again, only for the goal to be ruled offside. Relief swept through the crowd as Arsenal held on for a 2-1 victory. The score might not have defined the day, but a win made the celebration even sweeter.

The long wait ends

Once the final whistle blew, the celebration spilled out onto the wet Brooklyn streets. Champagne bottles popped — including those Arsenal-themed ones — as fans embraced, sang and soaked in the long-awaited moment. The rain mixed with champagne, and the air filled with laughter and chants of victory.

It didn’t matter that the trophy wasn’t lifted at the Emirates, or that the title had been clinched midweek. After waiting since 2004, those details faded into the background. What mattered was that Arsenal had finally done it — in North London, South London, or even here in Brooklyn.

Next stop: Budapest

Arsenal’s season isn’t over yet. They now turn their focus to Budapest, where they’ll face PSG in the Champions League final — a chance to complete a historic double.

But inside FancyFree, that was a thought for another day. For now, the only thing that mattered was the joy of seeing Arsenal crowned champions again. Strangers hugged, tattoos were inked, champagne flowed, and rain kept falling. For a few glorious hours, a Brooklyn bar became the heart of Arsenal’s world.

Whatever the weather, the Gunners had finally won.