Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has described the club’s Premier League title triumph as one of the greatest moments of his career after guiding the Gunners to their first league crown in 22 years.
The North London side officially secured the title following Manchester City’s draw against Bournemouth, sparking emotional scenes among players, staff, and supporters across London.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Crystal Palace, Arteta revealed he could not bring himself to watch the decisive match unfold live.
“It’s one of the best feelings I’ve ever had,” Mikel 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.
“I couldn’t bring the energy that I wanted and I think it was the moment as well to watch it together, to be themselves and just see what the outcome would be.
“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.
“I was just hearing some noises in the background, in the living room and suddenly the magic happened.
“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 emotional title win marked the end of Arsenal’s long wait for domestic dominance, with captain Martin Odegaard leading celebrations alongside teammates at the Sobha Realty Training Centre.
Meanwhile, thousands of Arsenal fans flooded the area around Emirates Stadium as supporters celebrated a historic achievement that has reignited belief around the club.
Arteta admitted the connection between the fans and the team has become one of the defining features of Arsenal’s resurgence.
He added: “I think what they [supporters] have created around the club and the team is incredible to witness. 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.
“We all are responsible, and I really want to make that clear, 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 [Wenger] built, even though we didn’t achieve the Premier League.
“It was an explosion, an emotional explosion, because everybody’s been just, you know, keeping emotions, and lifting those emotions, but not being able to really express them.
“So when we opened that bottle, I think everybody had so much to release and it’s been incredible to witness.”
Since taking over in 2019, Arteta has overseen Arsenal’s transformation from top-four hopefuls into Premier League champions, restoring the club’s identity with an exciting brand of football and a youthful core.
The title success also cements Arteta’s growing legacy at Arsenal, with supporters now dreaming of sustained dominance both domestically and in Europe.
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