Seven Arsenal players are coming home from the 2026 World Cup with medals draped around their necks, a haul that absolutely blows every other Premier League club out of the water. Spain’s gritty 1-0 victory over Argentina in the final saw David Raya, Mikel Merino, and Martin Zubimendi crowned world champions, bringing gold back to the Emirates. This isn’t just about three guys winning a trophy; it’s about these three making some serious, serious history.
A Triple Crown of Champions
Raya, Merino, and Zubimendi didn’t just win the World Cup; they joined an incredibly exclusive group. These three are now part of a tiny club who have won both the Premier League and the World Cup in the same calendar year. Think about it: before this tournament, only *four* players had ever pulled off that double. We’re talking Arsenal legends Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit from ’98, then Benjamin Mendy in 2018, and Julian Alvarez in 2022. Raya, Merino, and Zubimendi are now the fifth, sixth, and seventh players *ever* to achieve this incredible feat. Mikel Merino even made an important contribution during the knockout stages, showing up when it mattered most. This triumph isn’t just a feather in the cap; it actively extends Arsenal’s record for the most Premier League players to become world champions while representing the club. Spain, by the way, snagged their second World Cup title, making it even sweeter, 16 years after their first win in South Africa in 2010. Talk about a legacy!
Bronze Brigade and Tournament Domination
But the medal haul didn’t stop with gold! Oh no. England absolutely smashed France 6-4 in a wild, back-and-forth third-place play-off match, boosting Arsenal’s count even more. And who stepped up big time? Bukayo Saka delivered one of the standout performances of the entire tournament, bagging a jaw-dropping hat-trick in that insane game. Declan Rice also found the net and, get this, he even captained Thomas Tuchel’s side! Pure leadership right there. Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke were right there with them in the England squad, all four returning to Arsenal with bronze medals. Yeah, William Saliba from France narrowly missed out on a medal after his team finished fourth, but still, Arsenal ended the competition with seven players representing the top three nations. That is just incredible. England’s third-place finish was their best at a World Cup since they won the whole thing way back in 1966. What a statement, what a showing!
This kind of performance on the world stage? It’s a massive demonstration of the pure, unadulterated quality now running through Mikel Arteta’s squad. After already taking home the Premier League title, these Arsenal players have added three World Cup winners’ medals and four bronze medals to an already unforgettable, historic year. I’m a little sad the tournament is over, but Spain absolutely earned that trophy, no doubt about it. For Gooners everywhere, this just sets the tone for the new season, a tone of absolute dominance. Get ready, because Arsenal is rolling in with a roster full of champions, and they’re coming for everything.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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