Arteta savours “magical” title moment with family as Arsenal boss reflects on journey to the top | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta has revealed the emotional moment his son ran into the garden crying “We are champions, Daddy” after Arsenal finally secured the Premier League title following one of the most dramatic and emotionally draining journeys in the club’s modern history.

The Arsenal manager admitted he could not even bring himself to watch Bournemouth’s decisive victory over Manchester City live on Tuesday night, choosing instead to step away from the television and spend the evening outside with his family.

“I went home, I went outside to the garden, I started to build some fire, I started to do some barbecue, I didn’t watch any of it,” Arteta revealed.

“I was just hearing some noises in the background and suddenly the magic happened.

“My oldest son opened the garden door, he started to run towards me, he started to cry, he gave me a hug and said, ‘We are champions, Daddy.’

“Then my other two boys and my wife came over and it was beautiful. Just to see that joy on them as well, that they are always with me, it was magical.”

Minutes later captain Martin Odegaard was on video call demanding to know where his manager was as Arsenal’s players celebrated ending the club’s 22 year wait for the Premier League crown.

The achievement represents the culmination of Arteta’s six year rebuild at the Emirates, transforming Arsenal from a drifting club finishing eighth and missing out on the Champions League into champions of England and finalists in the Champions League.

Arteta admitted the scale of the achievement has only become clearer seeing the emotional response from supporters across north London and beyond.

“When you accomplish it, you realise how immense it is, how big it is for so many people,” he said.

“Just to witness the happiness and enjoyment, all the things that I’ve seen from our supporters, families in different countries, it’s just so good.”

The Spaniard has fallen agonisingly short in recent seasons, losing out to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City after consecutive title races went to the wire. This time Arsenal finally found a way through.

“Over the last few years we’ve been very, very close and this time, thankfully, we managed to win it,” Arteta said.

One of the defining moments of the season, according to the Arsenal boss, came before a ball had even been kicked.

Arteta gathered his squad beside a tree at the training ground shortly before the opening game away at Manchester United and challenged the players to believe they could become champions.

“I told them, look at each other, look at the squad that we built over the summer and that we are capable of everything,” he explained.

“It only depends on us and our behaviours and everybody understanding the role they have daily to give the best for the team.

“Once they realised that, I think we went to a different level.”

Arteta believes Arsenal’s triumph was built not only on tactical quality but on resilience and perseverance after years of falling short.

“There were moments I asked myself, am I good enough to lead this club and these players to win a major trophy?” he admitted.

“Until you do it, you cannot validate yourself.

“But the big lesson here is stay humble, stay curious and focus on what you want to achieve. If you give your very best, you give yourself a good chance.”

Arsenal now have the opportunity to complete a historic double when they face Paris Saint Germain in the Champions League final in Budapest.

Arteta insisted his side will quickly refocus after Sunday’s final Premier League game at Crystal Palace.

“We had 48 hours to enjoy winning the league,” he said.

“Now we prepare again because we have six days to write a new history in this football club.”