Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said that winning the Premier League title was the best football moment in his life after a number of near misses.
Arteta revealed he chose not to watch the decisive final-day action with his players as Arsenal waited for confirmation that the trophy was theirs. Instead, the Spaniard spent the tense moments at home with his family.
“It’s one of the best feelings I’ve ever had,” Arteta said. “I was supposed to be with the players, but 20 minutes before the game I decided to leave because I couldn’t bring the energy I wanted.”
The Arsenal boss explained that he stayed outside in the garden cooking a barbecue while trying to avoid the drama unfolding inside the house.
“I didn’t watch any of it,” he said. “I was just hearing noises from the living room and then suddenly my oldest son came running outside crying and shouting: ‘We’re champions Daddy.’ That was a magical moment.”
Arteta said the title success felt even more special because of the difficult path Arsenal had taken over recent seasons while battling against the challenge of Manchester City.
“The pressure was there all season,” Arteta explained. “People were saying in September and October that if we lost games the title race was over. Carrying that pressure for months is not easy.”
The former Arsenal captain admitted he had questioned himself during the journey.
“I asked myself if I was good enough to lead these players to a major trophy,” he said. “Until you actually do it, you cannot fully validate yourself.”
Arteta praised his squad for showing resilience and composure during difficult moments and insisted the club’s mentality had been the key difference this season.
“One of the proudest things is how we won it,” he added. “We showed perseverance, resilience and humility throughout the season.”
The Spaniard also thanked Andoni Iraola after Bournemouth played a crucial role in the final outcome of the title race.
“I called him to congratulate him on an incredible season,” Arteta revealed. “I told him they nearly took the title away from us and then helped us win it on the final day.”
Arteta also paid tribute to Pep Guardiola, who he worked alongside at Manchester City before taking charge at Arsenal.
“Pep has been a huge part of my journey,” he said. “The standards Manchester City set over the years pushed us to improve.”
The Arsenal manager confirmed that midfielder Mikel Merino was close to returning to full training, while defender Jurrien Timber remained slightly behind in his recovery.
Despite finally ending Arsenal’s wait for the title, Arteta insisted the club’s ambitions would not stop there.
“Now you want more,” he said. “This has been an incredible journey, but we have to keep improving and reinventing ourselves.”
