“Chelsea mocks Arsenal after defeat in the Champions League final.”

Arsenal suffered a bitter defeat in the final of the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain, but it was Chelsea who wasted no time in launching a ruthless provocation on social media, reminding everyone that they remain the only London team to have won the most prestigious competition in Europe.

In an intense match, the Gunners came close to making history, taking the lead thanks to Kai Havertz, the former Chelsea player, who scored a powerful goal, his second in a Champions League final. However, luck did not smile on Arsenal, as they saw Ousmane Dembélé equalize the match through a penalty. The decision went to a penalty shootout, and when it seemed that the title could finally be within reach for the north Londoners, Gabriel became the villain by shooting his penalty over the bar, handing the trophy to PSG and shattering Arsenal’s dream.

As soon as the final whistle blew, Chelsea wasted no time in twisting the knife into their rival. On Twitter, the Blues extended an invitation to fans to visit Stamford Bridge and admire their impressive trophy collection, prominently featuring the Champions League trophy. The caption left no doubt: “Come visit London’s trophy home,” emphasizing that Chelsea is not only the most decorated club in the city but also the only one in England to lift the European trophy.

It is worth noting that Chelsea has won the Champions League twice: in 2012, in a dramatic final against Bayern Munich decided by penalties, and in 2021, in an all-English final against Manchester City. This European superiority is an irreplaceable argument in the ongoing rivalry among London clubs.

In addition to Chelsea, Crystal Palace, the winner of the Conference League the previous week, also took the opportunity to mock Arsenal by posting an image of their trophy with the caption “European Champions.” This English dominance in European finals this year, with Palace winning the Conference, Aston Villa lifting the Europa League, and Arsenal missing out on a perfect qualification with the Champions League, demonstrates the strength of British football, although the Gunners’ disappointment is a golden opportunity for their rivals.

Despite the jibes, the reality of English football continues to show Arsenal at a high level. After winning the Premier League for the first time in 22 years, the Gunners are preparing to celebrate with a grand parade on Monday. Meanwhile, Chelsea, who finished the season in a disappointing 10th place and out of European competitions, is entering a new era with Xabi Alonso at the helm, marking the fourth managerial change in five years.

While Chelsea clings to its glorious past to taunt its rival, the truth is that Arsenal is far from being just any team and has shown that it is ready to challenge the European giants. The clash between these two London colossi is far from over and promises to be an epic battle, where history weighs heavily, but the present and future are equally decisive.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.