In the wake of Arsenal’s disappointing Champions League loss, chaos erupted in north London, leading to the arrest of nine individuals during the Premier League title parade. The Metropolitan Police reported a range of offences, including drunk and disorderly conduct, drug violations, sexual assault, and the assault of emergency personnel.
Video footage from the event captured scenes of disorder, with at least a dozen unruly fans clambering onto a police van. The crowd, some visibly drinking, pounded on the vehicle while chanting and throwing footballs into the air, creating a scene of pandemonium.
Images from the parade show Met officers, batons ready, confronting the rowdy Arsenal supporters. In a particularly alarming incident, one man was seen perched atop an ambulance, despite its flashing blue lights, underscoring the chaos of the day.
The disorder intensified as authorities attempted to prevent fans from storming the Emirates Stadium. A constable was photographed falling during the commotion, while another officer narrowly avoided injury after being hit with a bottle.
One man was also pictured sat on top of an ambulance despite its blue lights flashing.
One constable was pictured falling over as the Met tried to stop fans from entering Emirates Stadium at the end of the celebrations this afternoon – and another was nearly knocked down after being struck with a bottle.
Meanwhile the London Fire Brigade (LFB) said they had rescued ‘approximately 75 people’ from incidents at height during the event and encouraged fans to refrain from climbing onto rooftops as the celebrations continued this evening.
Rowdy Arsenal fans in confrontation with police officers, as one supporter puts his middle fingers up to them
Met officers draw their batons as the crowds take over the streets of north London
A policeman (front left) nearly falls over after being hit with a bottle by a member of the crowd
Pictured: Piles of litter are left behind on the streets of north London following the celebrations
They also said they attended a fire at a hotel, believed to have been caused by a stray flare.
Assistant Commissioner of LFB, Pat Goulbourne, said: ‘Fortunately, the fire caused only a small amount of damage to the exterior of the building.
‘Pyrotechnics are also believed to have triggered the fire alarms at several other locations in the area.’
Up to one million people are thought to have lined the streets of north London today – with the celebrations sparking travel chaos on TfL services.
The London Overground’s Mildmay Line is experiencing severe delays after the parade – and several stations are understood to have been shut or operating on restricted timetables due to the congestion, including Holloway Road, Drayton Park, and Essex Road.
And Victoria line trains did not stop at Highbury & Islington station, with Canonbury only allowing commuters to exit.
Elsewhere during the club’s victory parade on Sunday, aerial video footage showed four Arsenal buses slowly looping a five-mile circuit in north London as red smoke filled the streets to the sound of jubilated fans and their vuvuzelas.
Tens of thousands of supporters lined the roads today as the Arsenal squad completed their victory laps despite last night’s nail-biting Champions League final which saw this year’s Premier League title winners lose to PSG on penalties.
One fan was seen climbing on top of an ambulance that had its blue lights flashing
There were scenes of chaos across Arsenal’s victory parade in north London on Sunday
Pictured: A police officer falls down in the road as supporters attempt to gain entry to the Emirates Stadium grounds after the celebrations
Shortly after the planned 2pm start time, the convoy emerged from Emirates Stadium.
Manager Mikel Arteta and captain Martin Odegaard posed with the trophy gleaming between them.
Fans had travelled from far and wide to attend and roar on their heroes en route, with many taking up the best vantage points hours in advance.
Flags, flares and a sea of red Arsenal shirts congregated on the tubes and buses of London to make their way to the route.
The desperate disappointment of defeat in Budapest might have threatened to subdue the party atmosphere.
But that didn’t seem to be the case, with scenes of pandemonium and jubilation in the capital.
Arron Lapsley, 16, from Halifax, said: ‘It’s exciting. It’s a good atmosphere. Everyone’s having a really good time – it’s a great day out. ‘It’s a first time we’ve won a proper trophy for a lot of us.’
When asked if the victory parade was overshadowed by yesterday’s loss against PSG, he continued: ‘I thought it would have done but everyone’s come out so it’s amazing, a good atmosphere.’
Riot police remained on standby with celebrations expected to go late into the night in Paris
PSG fans saw themselves caught up in tear gas deployed by police officers
His father Andy Lapsley, 54, added: ‘It means a lot to be here but it’s difficult to get tickets to games. We watched the Champions League last night, I think we won it, we played really well. Gutting to lose on penalties.’
This year marks the first time in over 20 years that the English club last won the League title in the 2003/04 season.
Security was tight at one of the most heavily policed events this year, with more than 500 officers on the streets, a drone team and specialist search groups.
Violence and destruction descended across France last night after the Parisian side beat Arsenal.
There had been scenes of violence and destruction across France after PSG’s win on Saturday night.
PSG fans clashed with riot police across the French capital, where more than 280 people were arrested as scenes of anarchy marred what should have been a night of jubilation after the club made history by becoming only the second club to retain the European trophy.
Across the country, including those in Paris, a total of 416 people were arrested last night, prompting interior minister Laurent Nunez to condemn the chaos as ‘absolutely unacceptable’ as police officers were wounded in the violence.
Around 5,000 police and gendarmes were deployed in Paris to police crowds who were watching the final.
Riots broke out in the French capital just minutes after Arsenal took the lead against PSG in the Champions League
Riot police were seen grabbing hold of a PSG fan in Paris
French officers used tear gas and baton charges against crowds in Paris who had gathered to watch the game on TV screens outside bars and cafés in sweltering heat on Saturday afternoon.
Weapons and fireworks were among the items confiscated by officers.
‘The trouble started as soon as Arsenal went one-nil up,’ said an onlooker. ‘Chairs and bottles were thrown at the police, who then moved in to make arrests.’
Some Paris St Germain fans managed to climb up scaffolding on a building close to the Rue de Rivoli – one of the main shopping streets in the French capital.
The unrest continued into the night with all buses in Paris stopped due to the large number of people gathering on the streets.
And in dramatic scenes outside the Eiffel Tower, multiple vehicles were set alight.
Meanwhile, outside the Emirates, hundreds of Arsenal fans reacted jubilantly to Havertz’s goal by setting off red flares.
But there were far more somber scenes outside the homeground after the game as many emotional supporters shed a tear.
In Paris, there were further skirmishes throughout the first half of the game, as some cafés turned off their televisions.
Hundreds of tourists visiting nearby monuments such as Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre museum also found themselves caught up in the trouble.
Firefighters in Paris were seen working to put out flares set off by PSG fans.
Le Parisien reported that crowds surged after Ousmane Dembele scored his equalizer leading to another show of force from the French police.
Meanwhile other arrests have been made close to the Champs Élysées after a bus stop was vandalised during a clash between supporters and police.
In Montmartre fans wearing balaclavas and armed with iron bars have also been spotted.
