Mikel Arteta has shared the story of his experience of Arsenal winning the Premier League, admitting he didn’t actually watch the Manchester City game himself.
The Arsenal playing squad and staff gathered at London Colney on Tuesday night to watch AFC Bournemouth face Manchester City, knowing that any dropped points by Pep Guardiola’s side would confirm the Premier League title for the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta has revealed that the players wanted him to watch the game with them too, but he felt it was better for himself and for them if he left them to it.
As a result, the Arsenal manager ended up finding out that his team had won the league from his son, whilst barbecuing in the garden.
“It’s one of the best feeling that I ever had,” Arteta revealed. “I was supposed to be here at Colney watching the game with the boys and certain staff, because that’s what they wanted.
“But I couldn’t. I think 20 minutes before the game, I had to leave. I couldn’t bring the energy that I wanted. And I think really it was their moment as well, to watch it together, to be themselves.
“I went home, I went outside to the garden, I started to build a fire and started to do some barbecue. I didn’t watch any of it. I was just hearing some noises in the background, the living room.
“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.”
Arteta did end up joining the players on their night out, with Ryan Taylor reporting for the Mirror that he met up with them at London nightclub Tape to continue the celebrations.
The Arsenal manager reportedly danced with his players and some fans, and Noni Madueke took the microphone and started rapping. The majority of those in attendance were Arsenal players and staff, though a few lucky members of the public were also there.
Arteta will still get the chance to celebrate in front of the fans this weekend, when Arsenal lift the trophy at Selhurst Park. But he shared the winning moment with his family on Tuesday.
- 13 years later: Liverpool’s deception in Arsenal’s £40m +£1 Suarez bidArsenal’s £40,000,001 bid for Luis Suarez became a punchline, but Liverpool later admitted a key contract detail that is often overlooked.
- Arsenal confirm William Saliba injury updateArsenal have confirmed William Saliba will not undergo surgery, but the defender faces an extended spell out after specialist assessment of his back injury.
- William Saliba makes surgery decisionWilliam Saliba has made a key decision on his back injury after consulting Arsenal, but the France defender still faces months on the sidelines.
- Ex-Gunner finds new club in MexicoFormer Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina has signed for Mexican side Atlante FC after leaving Atletico Nacional as a free agent at the age of 37.
- Everton set to beat Arsenal to 18yo wingerEverton are expected to beat Arsenal to the signing of Bristol Rovers winger Ollie Dewsbury after taking the highly rated 18-year-old on trial.