Arteta not watching when Arsenal were crowned Premier League champions

Anxious Arsenal fans around the world were glued to their screens when Manchester City’s draw against Bournemouth confirmed the North London club as Premier League champions. But manager Mikel Arteta did not watch it.

Arteta had planned to be at the club’s training centre at London Colney with his players, but said he could not find the energy to go. Instead, he stayed at home and spent the moment in his garden. “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,” he told reporters.

He later learned the news from his eldest son, Gabriel, who plays for Arsenal’s Under-18 side. “My eldest son opened the garden door, he started to run towards me. He started to cry, gave me a hug and said, we are champions, daddy,” Arteta said. He added that his wife and other children joined in the emotional moment.

Videos shared by Arsenal showed players celebrating at the training ground after the title was confirmed with a game to spare. Arteta said he stayed away because he felt the moment belonged fully to the players.

Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard also called him shortly after, asking where he was, as celebrations continued across the club.

Arteta admitted the season had been mentally tough, saying he sometimes questioned himself about whether he was “good enough” to lead the team to a major trophy. However, he praised the squad’s resilience, composure, and belief under pressure.

He added that winning the league has changed the team’s mood and confidence ahead of their upcoming Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, with Arsenal set to lift the trophy at Crystal Palace in their final league match.