We are Champions daddy: How Arteta learned Arsenal end 22-year wait for EPL

Arsenal finally ended their 22-year wait for the English Premier League title after Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw by Bournemouth in the penultimate game of the season. The result confirmed Mikel Arteta’s side as champions and sparked 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 completes Arteta’s remarkable rebuilding project at the club.

“I should have been here, on 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 the 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 in the end it was their moment to watch it together and be themselves.”

Arteta revealed his nerves were frayed 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 down to play with his family, instead going outside to distract himself by preparing a barbecue.

“I wasn’t watching any of it. I just heard some noises in the background, in the living room, and all of a sudden magic happened,” he said. “He started crying and hugged me and said, ‘We’re champions, dad’. Just to see the joy in them. It was magical.”

The Arsenal manager added that the moment became even more emotional when his son ran out to give him the news after 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 here.’ I said, ‘Guys, enjoy it for a while and I’ll see you somewhere in London in a few hours’. It was beautiful,” Arteta recalled.

“My oldest son … started crying and hugged me and said, ‘We’re champions, Dad.’

Mikel Arteta recalls the moment he found out Arsenal had won the Premier League pic.twitter.com/NSWTmuewD0— Men In Blazers (@MenInBlazers) May 21, 2026

ARSENAL’S 22-YEAR WAIT IS OVER

Arsenal’s win marks the culmination of years of rebuilding after a turbulent period that followed Arsene Wenger’s departure in 2018. Initially facing criticism during inconsistent early campaigns, Arteta has gradually transformed the club into genuine contenders through a mixture of youth development, tactical discipline and major transfers.

The Gunners had pushed Manchester City close in previous seasons but fell short against Pep Guardiola’s relentless machine. However, Arsenal have shown more maturity and consistency this year, with key performances from Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice helping them maintain their lead during the crucial final weeks of the campaign.

With the pressure finally lifted to secure the Premier League title, Arsenal can now fully focus on themselves UEFA Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapestt. It will be the club’s first finals appearance since 2006, when Wenger’s side lost to Barcelona in Paris.

– The end

Published on:

21 May 2026 20:15 IST

‘, e.appendChild