Islington was painted red and white on May 31, with hundreds of thousands of Arsenal supporters packing the streets for a celebration two decades in the making.
Mikel Arteta’s side had finally ended the club’s 22-year draught for a Premier League title, turning the city into an open-air party – a perfect antidote to the heartbreak of losing the Champions League final to Paris Saint-Germain just a day prior.
Among the hundreds of thousands celebrating, two familiar faces were also spotted.
Former Arsenal stars Kieran Gibbs and Andrey Arshavin quietly took part in the celebrations.
They weren’t guests on the official team bus; they were just down in the streets soaking up the atmosphere with the fans.
Gibbs shared an image from the streets of North London on social media with the caption, “North London at its finest “, which quickly caught the eye of Arsenal fans.
Having spent a decade at the club between 2007 and 2017, the former left-back is still a fans’ favorite.
Gibbs came through Arsenal’s youth academy, went on to make over 230 appearances, and lifted three FA Cups under Arsène Wenger.
He never got to win the Premier League as a player, but watching the Gunners finally back at the top of the English Premier League meant the world to him.
After playing for West Bromwich Albion and Inter Miami, Gibbs retired from the game and transitioned into TV and media work, regularly sharing his views as a football pundit.
Next up was Andrey Arshavin.
The popular Russian midfielder was seen watching the celebration parade from a window right above the crowds, simply posting a photo online with the caption: ‘@arsenal Congrats ‘.
Arshavin was only at Arsenal for four years, but he gave the club some of its most unforgettable moments at the Emirates Stadium.
He signed from Zenit Saint Petersburg in 2009 and won over fans immediately with his skills, creativity, and knack for stepping up in big games.
His incredible four-goal display at Anfield and that famous winning goal against Barcelona will always be remembered in Arsenal history.
Unlike many former footballers who move into television or coaching, Arshavin has kept a low profile since hanging up his boots in 2018.
He now works in football management in Russia, holding a top role at Zenit Saint Petersburg.
The best part about their appearances was how low-key they were.
Gibbs and Arshavin didn’t try to get into the spotlight or join the official team events.
Instead, they just wanted to enjoy the day like the thousands of fans packing the streets.
Their appearance showed that Arsenal’s big win belongs to past players, too.
Both Gibbs and Arshavin helped the club through some lean years, and they clearly still care deeply about the team.
Seeing Gibbs and Arshavin celebrate with regular fans proves that once you become part of the Arsenal family, that bond never really goes away.
