ARSENAL fans in their tens of thousands flocked to the Emirates stadium on Tuesday night as a party 22 years in the making kicked off.

The wild celebrations were triggered by Manchester City’s failure to beat Bournemouth, a draw which meant the Gunners can’t be caught at the top of the Premier League.

No more second places, they are champions of the land – and nobody was going to worry about work in the morning.

Even before the final whistle was blown in City’s match, fans piled out on to the steps outside the stadium at Ashburton Grove, anticipating the forthcoming ecstasy.

By 10pm, the road around the ground was rammed, red flair smoke billowing across the concourse.

Bottles of champagne fizzed and popped in every direction, and Arsenal fans in their masses turned and embraced one another.

Fans clambered up on top of the official club shop, dancing, laughing and soaking in euphoria.

Speaking after Monday’s 1-0 win against Burnley, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said that he hoped “magic could happen” this week. And for these fans, it had.

Then the footage of the players watching the match at Arsenal’s training ground began to spread. The players were just as jubilant, dancing at the club’s training ground and singing a rendition of Queen’s We Are The Champions. Arteta told the players: “We made history again, together. I cannot be happier, prouder for everybody that is involved in this football club. Let’s enjoy the moment.”

Above: On this occasion we will allow accusations of bias reporting – it’s Tribune reporter Finn Logue with his partner Hana

And that moment for the supporters was right here and right now, as they left their homes to come together.

“Panic On The Streets Of London” was the Smiths song banner which City fans had used to prematurely taunt their Arsenal counterparts a few weeks ago.

Arsenal influencer Papa Pincus (middle)

No – this was a party on the streets of London, and an all night long one at that.

There were old fans, who had waited so long for the return to glory that characterised the Arsenal teams of the 1990s and early 2000s.

Arsenal social media editor David ‘Frimmy’ Frimpon

And there were young fans, some of whom had never seen a Premier League title win in their lifetime. There were father and sons, mothers and daughters.

There were famous fans and club legends, top. Arsenal legend Ian Wright moved through the crowd, dancing arm and arm with Robbie Lyle, the founder of the “Arsenal Fan TV” YouTube channel.

Spandau Ballet’s Gary Kemp was there, and his TV presenter nephew Ronan Kemp. Gunners fans were popping up everywhere with Sky News political editor Beth Rigby and the channel’s sports reporter Jacqui Beltrao at the ground sharing photos of themselves outside the stadium in red and white.

Nick Hornby, the Fever Pitch novelist, shared a photo of his sons with the caption: “They haven’t always thanked me for it, my boys, and they had to wait longer than any previous generation of Arsenal fans, but tonight…”

Regardless of what happens in next week’s Champions League final when Arsenal play Paris St Germain in Hungary, Arsenal fans will return to the streets on May 31 to celebrate this trophy with an open top bus parade.

Islington councillors have this week spoken of their pride. Mayor Jason Jackson said: “After 22 years of waiting, this moment is a testament to resilience, belief, and unwavering commitment. I also wish to recognise the extraordinary loyalty of Arsenal supporters, whose passion and dedication never faltered through every season and every challenge.”

It was 2004 when former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira last lifted the Premier League trophy at White Hart Lane.

Chris Curran, a lifelong Arsenal fan who lives in Tufnell Park, was just four years old at the time, and said that this season’s win was made even more special, as he barely remembers the last victory.

He told the Tribune: “They say patience is a virtue. And my god have we had to be patient, 22 years. It’s been a long, difficult road to end up where we are now.

“But we are here, and it feels better than I could ever have imagined.

“Tuesday night felt like a fever dream, a moment when everyone came together to express their joy and love for this beautiful club that remains a constant throughout all of our lives.

“First thing I did after the full time whistle at Bournemouth was call my brother, he’s the reason I’m an Arsenal fan. This club keeps us bonded together, that’s what it’s all about. We’re a family.”

Around Finsbury Park, a chorus of car horns and screams continued into the early hours of Wednesday.

Joe Meekel, who runs the Finsbury Park Focus Instagram page, said: “It was just incredible, it was just the most beautiful of moments.

“People from every walk of life were there: parents with newborn babies, toddlers, nans and granddads, aunts, uncles, there were strangers hugging strangers. It was a pleasure and a privilege to be able just to witness that. It was just like this huge weight was relieved from all of us.”

He added: “There wasn’t any planning or orchestration, and I don’t think you can ever, ever top that. It was north London calling.”

There have been countless ups and downs over the season. Fans endured tough weeks in April when nothing seemed to go right and City briefly claimed first place.

But a video of Declan Rice telling the rest of the players “it’s not done” at City’s home ground, will now become a cherished memory of this season – a testament to the resilience of the squad.

Now Arsenal fans are afforded a rare luxury; to watch the final game of the league season against Crystal Palace on Sunday without the nail-biting anxiety they have become accustomed to.

It is at the south London club’s ground that these players will first get their hands on the trophy.

The chant from rivals “second again, ole ole” has been buried.

You could tell from the joy on the faces outside the stadium on Tuesday night, this party is just getting started.