Arsenal’s Guard of Honour Decision Reflects Changing Priorities

Liverpool’s Title Triumph Alters the Narrative

At the start of the season, Liverpool vs Arsenal at Anfield was circled on calendars as a potential title showdown. Fast-forward to May and the mood has changed. Liverpool are already champions, Arne Slot having sealed a record-equalling 20th league title with a commanding 5-1 win over Tottenham. Arsenal, once considered legitimate contenders, now limp towards the finish line, their focus narrowed to Champions League qualification.

The symbolic significance of Sunday’s fixture has shifted. No longer a six-pointer, it’s instead a victory lap for Liverpool and a public moment of reflection for Arsenal. That backdrop makes the news, as reported by the Daily Mail, all the more intriguing: Arsenal will provide a guard of honour at Anfield. Sportsmanship, it seems, will still take centre stage.

Arteta’s Side Falter at the Final Hurdle

Mikel Arteta’s men were in the hunt through the autumn. Their 2-2 draw with Liverpool in October 2024 looked to be a benchmark of their credentials. But a spring collapse—with costly draws against West Ham, Nottingham Forest, Manchester United, Everton, Brentford, and Crystal Palace—turned promise into disappointment.

Now second on 67 points, Arsenal are closer to Aston Villa than to the champions. Their campaign hinges on overturning a one-goal deficit against PSG in the Champions League semi-final, following Ousmane Dembélé’s early strike at the Emirates.

Should that attempt fall short in Paris, their trip to Anfield will carry a tone of finality rather than ferocity.

Gesture of Respect Amidst Disappointment

There’s no Premier League regulation demanding a guard of honour for the champions. It remains a choice—a gesture steeped in respect and tradition. According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal intend to echo Chelsea’s approach last weekend by acknowledging Liverpool’s achievement.

Legacy over Rivalry at Anfield

Sunday will belong to Liverpool. The moment—an Arsenal guard of honour, Anfield in full voice, and a lap of honour in the sun—will reaffirm their place at the summit of English football.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

If you’d asked any Liverpool supporter in January whether Arsenal would applaud us onto the Anfield pitch in May, you’d have been met with cautious laughter. Yet here we are. It’s not arrogance—it’s vindication. Arne Slot’s first season has ended with silverware, swagger, and a statement. And to see Arsenal, of all teams, giving us a guard of honour only underlines how far this Liverpool side has come since last summer’s rebuild.

The symbolism shouldn’t be overlooked. Arsenal were tipped as the challengers. Their draw with us in October felt like a warning that they weren’t going away. But while they drew games and lost composure, Liverpool were relentless. That’s the difference between title contenders and title winners.

There will be those who claim the guard of honour is pointless. Some may even call it patronising. But make no mistake—this is football’s unspoken code. When it’s done right, it means something. Respect isn’t always earned by the final whistle; sometimes it’s written in the way opponents recognise your greatness.

Come Sunday, as Arsenal line up to clap the champions onto the pitch, it won’t just be about tradition. It’ll be a reminder: Liverpool are back on top. And nobody else could keep up.