Mikel Arteta shares ‘joy’ and ‘relief’ after Premier League title triumph | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta said Arsenal’s Premier League title triumph brought him “relief” as well as pride after his side completed their campaign with a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace before lifting the trophy.

Arteta admitted there had been moments during the journey when he doubted whether he was the right man to lead Arsenal to the title after several near misses in recent seasons.

“Very difficult to put it into words, but yeah, what a moment,” Arteta said.

“A lot of emotions, a lot of joy, pride. I think the manner that we’ve done it, I think represents what the guys are feeling and the reason why this magic happened.”

Asked whether winning the title changed him as a coach after years of rebuilding the club, Arteta said: “I’m the same one, but I’m happier and relieved, I would say.

“Obviously, throughout this journey, we have made some massive steps. We have accomplished a lot of things that, in my opinion, have a lot of value. But at the end of the day, we are here to win major trophies.

“That was the ultimate goal. We came very close, and in three locations we fell short at the end, and that was very painful. But I think that’s what has driven all of us to find new ways to show what we are made of.

“That’s why I said that the manner that we’ve done it, it makes it even better.”

Arteta lifted the Premier League trophy in front of Arsenal’s supporters after the final whistle and said sharing the moment with players, staff and families made it even more special than the initial celebrations after Manchester City dropped points earlier in the week.

“It is different,” he said when asked about finally touching the trophy.

“It was magical the other night, and what we’ve done this afternoon here, I would say even better.

“Because all the staff are there, everybody is touching it, you see the joy of the players. Our support is the way they are behaving with the team. And of course, the families are around as well, and it brings something else.”

Arteta also paid tribute to the Arsenal hierarchy for appointing him despite his lack of managerial experience when he took over in December 2019.

“It’s been a lot,” he said.

“They gave me the opportunity to manage this football club when I had no experience at all.

“So first of all, I have some words of gratitude to everybody that was involved in that decision. And that’s for sure Edu, that’s Tim, that’s Vinai, that’s a lot of people that were there.

“Josh and Stan are still here, and you can see their faces today.

“But there’s a lot of people along the way that have been crucial to the success, to build this connection, to be able to build a team that is so competitive, and ultimately that we have delivered the Premier League.”

Despite winning the title, Arteta insisted Arsenal’s focus will quickly switch to next weekend’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest.

“We need to do it, because we need that energy to flow, and going against that, I think it will be a big mistake,” he said when asked if it was important to enjoy the celebrations.

“We talked about already what we have to do in Budapest, how we’re going to use all the incredible energy that we’re all carrying towards that final, and tomorrow we’re going to start to prepare it.

“And yeah, we can’t wait to write a new chapter in the history of our club and lift the Champions League.”

Arteta also challenged his players to build on their success and warned that being champions would bring new expectations.

“Well, I said to the boys that this shirt now represents something else,” he said.

“We are the champions, and that brings a lot of confidence and a different kind of presence and energy to it.

“But as well, another kind of responsibility as well, and my job now and everybody at the club is going to be lift those standards now and achieve much more, because I think we are capable of doing it.”

The Arsenal manager also opened up on the self-doubt he experienced during difficult periods of his reign and revealed the support he received from his family and the club’s board helped him continue.

“The people around me, starting with my wife, with the board, we just understand, because it’s natural,” he said.

“At the end, I have a very special attachment to this football club, I just want the best for this football club.

“And sometimes I know how much I have to dig in, in a lot of things in this football club that are not noticeable outside, to get to this point.

“And at the end, ultimately, what I want is to have this moment, because everybody’s been waiting for so long.”

Arteta said the togetherness inside the squad had been key to Arsenal’s title success and explained why staff members wore shirts with players’ names on the back during the trophy presentation.

“I think it was the right thing to do,” he said.

“It’s a tribute to the players. They are the ultimate protagonists.

“They are the ones that have done their jobs to give us the opportunity to live where we are living today. And they fully deserve that.”

He added that the bond between the players and coaching staff remained one of the club’s biggest strengths.

“I feel very privileged with the connection that we have between us,” he said.

“Not only with me, but with the coaching staff and all the staff.

“And when they look at you, they still feel inspired. And they believe that you can still improve them and help them to live moments like today. Otherwise, it’s impossible.

“I do really feel that with them. And yeah, I’m very grateful.”