We are Champions daddy: How Arteta learnt Arsenal ended 22-year EPL wait
Arsenal sealed the Premier League title after Manchester City drew with Bournemouth. The moment ended a 22-year wait and allowed Arsenal to shift attention towards the Champions League final.
Arsenal have finally ended their 22-year wait for the English Premier League title after Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw by Bournemouth on the penultimate matchday of the season. The result confirmed Mikel Arteta’s side as champions, sparking emotional celebrations among players, staff and supporters across London.
The triumph marks Arsenal’s first league crown since the famous “Invincibles” campaign of 2003-04 and caps off Arteta’s remarkable rebuilding project at the club.
“I was supposed to be here, at the training ground, watching the game with the boys and the staff because that’s what they wanted – but I couldn’t,” Arteta said during a pre-match press conference, as quoted by Yahoo Sports. “Twenty minutes before the game I had to leave. I couldn’t bring the energy that I wanted, and ultimately it was their moment to watch it together and be themselves.”
Arteta revealed that nerves got the better of him as Manchester City’s title hopes hung in the balance at the Vitality Stadium. The Spaniard said he returned home but was unable to sit through the game with his family, instead stepping outside to distract himself by preparing a 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,” he said. “He started to cry, gave me a hug and said: ‘We are champions, Daddy’. Just to see the joy on them. It was magical.”
The Arsenal manager added that the moment became even more emotional when his son ran out to break the news to him following Bournemouth’s result against City. Shortly after, Arteta received a video message from club captain Martin Odegaard urging him to join the celebrations in London.
“‘Where are you? Come over.’ I said, ‘Guys, enjoy it for a while and I’ll see you in a few hours somewhere in London’. It was beautiful,” Arteta recalled.
ARSENAL'S 22-YEAR WAIT OVER
Arsenal’s title victory represents the culmination of years of rebuilding after the turbulent period that followed Arsene Wenger’s departure in 2018. Arteta, who initially faced criticism during inconsistent early campaigns, gradually transformed the club into genuine contenders through a blend of youth development, tactical discipline and major signings.
The Gunners had pushed Manchester City close in previous seasons but fell short against Pep Guardiola’s relentless machine. This year, however, Arsenal showed greater maturity and consistency, with key performances from Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice helping them maintain their lead during the decisive final weeks of the campaign.
With the pressure of securing the Premier League title finally lifted, Arsenal can now fully focus on their UEFA Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest. It will be the club’s first Champions League final appearance since 2006, when Wenger’s side lost to Barcelona in Paris.
Arsenal have finally ended their 22-year wait for the English Premier League title after Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw by Bournemouth on the penultimate matchday of the season. The result confirmed Mikel Arteta’s side as champions, sparking emotional celebrations among players, staff and supporters across London.
The triumph marks Arsenal’s first league crown since the famous “Invincibles” campaign of 2003-04 and caps off Arteta’s remarkable rebuilding project at the club.
“I was supposed to be here, at the training ground, watching the game with the boys and the staff because that’s what they wanted – but I couldn’t,” Arteta said during a pre-match press conference, as quoted by Yahoo Sports. “Twenty minutes before the game I had to leave. I couldn’t bring the energy that I wanted, and ultimately it was their moment to watch it together and be themselves.”
Arteta revealed that nerves got the better of him as Manchester City’s title hopes hung in the balance at the Vitality Stadium. The Spaniard said he returned home but was unable to sit through the game with his family, instead stepping outside to distract himself by preparing a 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,” he said. “He started to cry, gave me a hug and said: ‘We are champions, Daddy’. Just to see the joy on them. It was magical.”
The Arsenal manager added that the moment became even more emotional when his son ran out to break the news to him following Bournemouth’s result against City. Shortly after, Arteta received a video message from club captain Martin Odegaard urging him to join the celebrations in London.
“‘Where are you? Come over.’ I said, ‘Guys, enjoy it for a while and I’ll see you in a few hours somewhere in London’. It was beautiful,” Arteta recalled.
ARSENAL'S 22-YEAR WAIT OVER
Arsenal’s title victory represents the culmination of years of rebuilding after the turbulent period that followed Arsene Wenger’s departure in 2018. Arteta, who initially faced criticism during inconsistent early campaigns, gradually transformed the club into genuine contenders through a blend of youth development, tactical discipline and major signings.
The Gunners had pushed Manchester City close in previous seasons but fell short against Pep Guardiola’s relentless machine. This year, however, Arsenal showed greater maturity and consistency, with key performances from Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice helping them maintain their lead during the decisive final weeks of the campaign.
With the pressure of securing the Premier League title finally lifted, Arsenal can now fully focus on their UEFA Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest. It will be the club’s first Champions League final appearance since 2006, when Wenger’s side lost to Barcelona in Paris.
