Two Arsenal players might not get Premier League winners’ medals even though the team won the title.
Arsenal have just won their first Premier League title in 22 years, but two players might not get winners’ medals on Sunday.
In a tough part of the season, Mikel Arteta’s team grabbed two close 1-0 wins against West Ham and Burnley, keeping them just ahead of Manchester City, who were chasing them closely.
City needed a win against Bournemouth on Tuesday to keep their hopes alive, but they only managed a draw after Erling Haaland scored late. This meant Arsenal finally secured the title after finishing second several times before.
Martin Odegaard will lift the Premier League trophy at Selhurst Park when Arsenal plays Crystal Palace on Sunday, but there are two players who might miss out on the medals.
To get a medal, players have to appear in at least five league games — this number used to be 10 but was lowered recently.
Most of Arsenal’s squad have easily passed this mark. New signing Christian Norgaard made six appearances and will get a medal.
Teen star Max Dowman, just 16, also made the cut with five league appearances, including goals and assists against Everton. This makes him the youngest player to win the Premier League. Ethan Nwaneri also qualifies, having played six times before going on loan in January.
On the other hand, second-choice goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga didn’t make enough league appearances. He played 11 games but mostly in cup matches and didn’t come on in the league because David Raya was the main keeper all season.
Third-choice keeper Tommy Setford also isn’t eligible. He only played in the FA Cup and wasn’t in any Premier League match squads, though he was on the bench for some Champions League and other games.
Another player who might miss out is 16-year-old defender Marli Salmon, who has played four times in all competitions but hasn’t appeared in the Premier League yet.
Arsenal will get 40 medals to give out as they like, so there’s still a chance these players could receive one. If they want more medals than that, they have to ask the Premier League and usually need a good reason.
This win marks Arsenal’s 14th league title, and they could also end a long wait for European success with the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest on May 30.