Arteta steps back as Arsenal secure first Premier League title in 22 years
Arsenal end a two-decade drought following Manchester City’s draw with Bournemouth, with Mikel Arteta reflecting on self-doubt and perseverance ahead of the Champions League final.
Arsenal have secured the Premier League title for the first time since 2004, ending a 22-year drought after Manchester City drew with Bournemouth. The victory concludes a campaign where the North London club finished second in the league for three consecutive seasons prior to this triumph. The team is scheduled to lift the trophy at Crystal Palace on Sunday, with the next major fixture being the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain on 30 May.
Manager Mikel Arteta did not attend the match or the immediate celebrations, choosing instead to remain at home to build a fire in his garden. Although he had planned to be at the club’s training centre in London Colney to watch the game with his players, Arteta stated he lacked the energy to make the trip. He told reporters he did not watch the game, opting to focus on the domestic setting with his family.
Arteta received the news of the victory from his eldest son, Gabriel, who plays for the club’s Under-18 side. Gabriel ran to his father crying, hugged him, and said, “we are champions, daddy.” Arteta noted that his wife and other children soon joined them, describing the moment as beautiful and highlighting the joy shared within his household.
The manager explained that his absence was a deliberate choice to allow the players their own moment. He believed his presence would have altered the dynamic of the celebration. Captain Martin Odegaard called Arteta after the win to ask where he was, to which Arteta replied that he would see them in London in a few hours, encouraging the squad to enjoy the occasion.
Arteta admitted to experiencing self-doubt during the high-pressure campaign, questioning if he was “good enough to lead these players to win a major trophy.” He characterised the title win as validating his resilience and perseverance, noting that the mood at the club has shifted. He described the emotion of the victory as something he had not felt before, providing a window to celebrate before the six-day lead-up to the Champions League final.
