Arsenal trophy day changes explained by Arteta

Arsenal lifted the Premier League trophy against Crystal Palace after Manchester City's draw at Bournemouth confirmed their first title since 2004. The line-up for the final day was built around rotation and reward, and it included Max Dowman making his first Premier League start at 16.

Arteta said the squad had been prepared for this kind of flexibility from the start. "We had a big talk at the start of the season about each individual roles and how this is going to change and how we're going to have to adapt and and be humble and be ready to to help and impact the team and I think we've been incredible at doing that," he said.

Why Dowman got the nod

Dowman was not picked as a novelty. Arteta was direct about the reason: "Max, he needs to be there because he created a moment during this season that something changed as well and the people has contributed, I think deserves to be on that pitch." The manager also pointed to the work it took to get the formation right.

That moment came against Everton, when Dowman scored during Arsenal's title charge. He also sat his GCSEs this week, which tells you plenty about how unusual this stage of his season has been. The verified numbers back up the trust, too. Dowman has 5 Premier League appearances and 1 goal, plus 3 Champions League matches already.

A selection that fitted the season

This was also a team-sheet that rewarded others in the squad. Kepa Arrizabalaga and Christian Nørgaard were among the names given first Premier League starts for Arsenal, while David Raya, William Saliba and Leandro Trossard were notable absentees from the matchday squad at Palace.

Arsenal still have the Champions League final to prepare for against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest on Saturday, so there was a practical side to the selection as well. But the bigger point is the one Arteta made himself: this was about players who adapted, helped and impacted the team across the season.

Dowman's rise has been quick, but the final-day start was not a random reward. It was a selection that matched Arsenal's title run and gave one of its youngest contributors a place on the trophy-day pitch.