Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta learned of his team’s Premier League title victory not in a boisterous stadium or a team gathering, but from his tearful son while hosting a barbecue in his garden on Tuesday night. The unexpected news arrived as Bournemouth held title rivals Manchester City to a 1-1 draw, a result that sealed Arsenal’s first league championship in 22 years.
A Quiet Celebration
While Arsenal players and staff convened at the training ground to watch the crucial match, Arteta found himself unable to stay. He explained that he “couldn’t bring the energy that I wanted” and opted to leave for home approximately 20 minutes before kickoff.
Instead of watching the game unfold, Arteta chose a more personal setting. He went into his garden, started a fire for a barbecue, and deliberately avoided watching the match. The tension of the moment was palpable, even from a distance.
The dramatic confirmation of Arsenal’s title came not from a television screen, but from the raw emotion of his children. “I was just hearing some noises in the living room and suddenly the magic happened,” Arteta recounted. His eldest son burst into the garden, tears streaming down his face, to deliver the joyous news: “We are champions, Daddy.”
This was soon followed by his other two sons and wife joining him, creating a “beautiful” and “magical” moment of shared triumph. The joy on his children’s faces, reflecting their support throughout the season, was a profound experience for the Arsenal manager.
A Call to a Childhood Friend
In a poignant display of sportsmanship, Arteta revealed he also reached out to Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, a childhood friend from the Basque Country. The two grew up together and played for the same youth team, Antiguoko in San Sebastian.
Arteta called Iraola not only to congratulate him on the incredible job he has done with Bournemouth but also to acknowledge the role his team inadvertently played in the title race. He humorously noted that Bournemouth had “almost took the Premier League away from us” during their earlier 2-1 victory over Arsenal in April, before ultimately “helped us to win it” with the draw against Manchester City.
Iraola, who has announced his departure from Bournemouth at the end of the season upon contract expiry, received a call filled with mutual admiration and good wishes from Arteta. “I rang him to show my admiration towards him and wish him the best in the next chapter of his career,” Arteta stated, expressing confidence in Iraola’s future success.
Looking Ahead: A Double Dream
While the Premier League title has been secured, Arsenal’s season is not yet over. The team has the opportunity to add a second trophy when they face Paris St-Germain in the Champions League final on Sunday, May 30th, in Budapest.
Plans are already underway for Arsenal’s title-winning parade, scheduled for the day after the Champions League final. Arteta expressed his ambition to celebrate with the fans with not one, but two trophies.
“We want to have the parade with two trophies,” he declared. He emphasized the short 48-hour window to savor the league victory before shifting focus to the upcoming final. “We will have a little window to lift the trophy and connect with the people around us – and then we have six days to write a new history in this football,” Arteta added, highlighting the team’s drive for continued success.
The focus now shifts to preparing for the final, demanding an elevation of “habits and standards” to ensure they are in the best possible condition to compete. The manager’s unique celebration underscores the emotional depth of this title win and sets a determined tone for the final push for silverware.
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