Andoni Iraola joked that childhood friend Mikel Arteta may owe him a special gift after Bournemouth played a decisive role in helping Arsenal secure the Premier League title.
The Cherries’ 1-1 draw against Manchester City proved enough to hand Arsenal their first league crown in 22 years, sparking celebrations across North London.
Following the result, Iraola admitted he expects at least some form of appreciation from Arteta, with the pair sharing a long-standing friendship dating back to childhood in Spain’s Basque region.
“It would be lovely. Something! I haven’t even checked my phone, I should have at least one text message or something,” said Iraola.
Iraola and Arteta both emerged from the Basque football scene and even played for the same youth club during their early years before eventually building impressive managerial careers.
Despite joking about receiving a reward, the Bournemouth manager insisted Arsenal’s title triumph was deserved regardless of his side’s result against City.
“But it was not because of this game. They were probably going to go and finish it themselves.
“I’m happy for him because he’s done an incredible job there. The last few seasons they have been very consistent.”
Arteta’s Arsenal side have finally ended their long wait for Premier League glory after years of rebuilding, development and near misses under the Spanish coach.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth continue to earn praise under Iraola after another strong campaign that has seen the Cherries establish themselves as one of the league’s most competitive sides.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
