Arsenal F.C. manager Mikel Arteta has described the club’s historic Premier League triumph as one of the greatest moments of his life after the Gunners secured their first league title in 22 years.
Arsenal were officially crowned champions after Manchester City F.C. dropped points in a dramatic draw against Bournemouth, leaving Arteta’s side with an unassailable lead at the top of the table and sparking emotional celebrations across north London.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference ahead of Arsenal’s final game of the season against Crystal Palace F.C., Arteta revealed he was unable to watch City’s decisive match unfold despite plans to join his players and coaching staff at the Sobha Realty Training Centre.
“It’s one of the best feelings I’ve ever had,” Arteta said.
“I was supposed to be here, at Sobha, watching the game with the boys and the staff, because that’s what they wanted, but I couldn’t. I think 20 minutes later, before the game, I had to leave.”
The Spaniard explained that he instead returned home, distancing himself from the tension of the title race while spending time with his family.
“I went home, I went outside to the garden, I started to build a fire, and I started to do some barbecue. I didn’t watch any of it,” he said.
“I was just hearing some noises in the background, in the living room and suddenly the magic happened.”
Arteta then recounted the emotional moment his family informed him Arsenal had finally been crowned champions after more than two decades without the title.
“My oldest son opened the garden door, he started to run towards me, he started to cry, he gave me a hug and said: ‘We are champions, daddy.’”
“Then my other two boys and my wife came over and it was beautiful. Just to see that joy on them as well, that they are always with me, it was magical. A minute later, Martin Odegaard called me on video.”
The title victory marks a defining achievement for Arteta, who took charge of Arsenal in 2019 and has overseen the club’s transformation from inconsistent top-four contenders into Premier League champions.
The triumph also ends Arsenal’s long wait for a league crown since the famous “Invincibles” season under former manager Arsène Wenger in 2004.
Arteta paid tribute to Arsenal supporters for creating what he described as an extraordinary bond between the team and fans throughout the campaign.
“I think what they have created around the club and the team is incredible to witness,” he said.
“That chemistry, that connection, that passion, it’s something beautiful. I mean, the trophy is great, but that is, in my opinion, something even bigger.”
Thousands of Arsenal fans gathered outside the Emirates Stadium immediately after confirmation of the title win, celebrating deep into the night as players and staff marked the achievement at the training ground.
Arteta also acknowledged the contribution of Wenger and previous generations at the club, insisting the success was built on years of groundwork.
“We all are responsible, and I really want to make that clear,” he said.
“There’s been so many people in this journey throughout the years, not only since I’ve been here, but as well obviously everything that Arsene built, even though we didn’t achieve the Premier League.”
The Arsenal boss described the celebrations as an emotional release after years of frustration and near misses in recent seasons.
“It was an explosion, an emotional explosion, because everybody’s been just keeping emotions, and lifting those emotions, but not being able to really express them,” Arteta added.
“So when we opened that bottle, I think everybody had so much to release and it’s been incredible to witness.”
Arsenal are expected to receive the Premier League trophy officially after their final fixture of the season at Crystal Palace, with supporters already preparing for what promises to be one of the club’s biggest celebrations in decades.
