More than 250,000 fans turned out to watch Arsenal's victory parade from Highbury to Islington Town Hall today. And manager Arsene Wenger pledged that the Gunners would be even stronger next season after a campaign in which they clinched the Premiership with an unbeaten record.
The Frenchman thanked the fans for their support throughout the season and members of his first-team squad held the Premiership trophy aloft in turns and also paid their tribute to the Highbury faithful.
Earlier Wenger claimed Ruud van Nistelrooy's penalty miss in the controversial game at Manchester United in September provided the trigger for Arsenal to complete the Premiership season unbeaten.
Wenger was speaking before joining Arsenal's end-of-season open-top bus parade from Highbury to Islington Town Hall to celebrate their historic achievement.
The Old Trafford clash ended 0-0, but only after van Nistelrooy fired his spot-kick against the crossbar in the final seconds were the Gunners sure of a point, in what proved to be the closest they came to defeat all season.
The Gunners boss also pin-pointed the 4-2 comeback victory at home to Liverpool in April as crucial to Arsenal's phenomenal achievement.
He said: "There were two big moments. The van Nistelrooy penalty and then after our exit in the Champions League when we were 2-1 down to Liverpool. Then after the Newcastle game we had a great chance of achieving it."
But in general terms Wenger insisted their record-breaking achievement was down to hard work, consistency and more than a bit of quality. He also pin-pointed intelligence as crucial to successful management - an attribute which helped his side come back to beat Leicester 2-1 yesterday.
He said: "The key for us was quality play and our attitude. I can't praise the players enough. In any job consistency is a sign of quality. I don't believe in miracles. I believe in good quality of work.
"A manager needs high motivation levels, a high level of resistance to stress and if possible to be as intelligent as can be. I felt we were not creating a lot of chances (against Leicester) and were close to panic a little bit. I calmed everyone down and we came out and played at a higher pace and were lucky enough to get a penalty straight away."
Wenger will rely on such principles carrying his side to further success next year, when he expects the usual suspects to challenge for the Premiership crown.
"We are competing with Chelsea and Manchester United with their unlimited resources and I expect Liverpool and Newcastle to join in as well. Our main target is to repeat our success in the league next season and if possible, without it becoming an obsession, the Champions League."
