Eberechi Eze has vividly described the rollercoaster of emotions he went through on May 31, a day that saw Arsenal go from heartbreak to jubilation.
In an interview with British GQ, the midfielder labelled the day as 'surreal'. Just hours earlier, Arsenal had succumbed to PSG in the Champions League final after a tense penalty shootout, ending 1-1 after regular time and 4-3 on penalties. Eze was among the Gunners who missed their spot-kicks.
After the match, the atmosphere within the squad was understandably low as they discussed what had transpired. They made the journey back to London early the next morning, still reeling from their defeat.
However, the mood took a different turn upon their arrival at the Emirates Stadium, where preparations began for the grand parade celebrating their Premier League triumph.
'It was one of the craziest days I've ever experienced,' Eze remarked.
The midfielder explained that the atmosphere noticeably shifted as the team entered the changing room at the Emirates.
'As soon as we got in the dressing room and started preparing for the parade, you could see life coming back to everyone,' Eze noted.
Eze finds it tough to juggle mixed emotions
For Eze, the circumstances were particularly challenging. On one hand, he dealt with the painful loss in the Champions League final, while on the other, he was part of celebrations for the club's first Premier League title in 22 years.
'Not winning the Champions League and losing in the manner we did, especially for me personally, was tough to balance those two emotions,' he confessed.
Gradually, Eze managed to reframe his outlook on the day.
He shared how the fans became a significant source of positive energy during the parade. Their joy allowed the players to temporarily set aside their disappointment and fully embrace the historic achievement.
'What helped me that day was seeing the fans and the joy we brought to the community,' Eze added.
Arsenal celebrate title less than a day after Champions League final
The parade took place on May 31, less than 24 hours after the defeat to PSG in Budapest. Players travelled through North London on open-top buses, as thousands of fans took to the streets to celebrate the club's first title since 2004.
This whirlwind of a day turned into an emotional rollercoaster for Eze and his teammates, as they transitioned from the disappointment of missing out on the Champions League to the elation of achieving historic success in England.
