Mikel Arteta had barely wiped away the tears of joy that followed Arsenal’s Premier League trophy presentation before challenging his players to create more history by winning the Champions League.
Arteta’s side finally got their hands on Premier League silver in an emotional scene after Sunday’s 2-1 win against Crystal Palace.
Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke scored the Gunners’ goals at Selhurst Park to ensure they moved seven points clear of second-placed Manchester City.
Arsenal had already won their first English title in 22 years when City were held to a draw by Bournemouth on Tuesday.
But the trophy presentation was the icing on the cake for Arteta and his players as they reveled in the enormity of their achievement in the south London sunshine.
Captain Martin Odegaard lifted the trophy, wrapped in red and white ribbons, in front of thousands of ecstatic Arsenal fans packed into a corner of the stadium.
Arteta was thrown into the air by his cheering players before the Spain boss was moved to tears and kissed his wife on the pitch.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is thrown into the air by the players celebrating their Premier League title. | Photo credit: AP
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is thrown into the air by the players celebrating their Premier League title. | Photo credit: AP
Arsenal’s joyous celebrations lasted almost two hours before Arteta headed to his post-match press conference, wearing a Gunners shirt with ’26 Champions’ on the back.
With a gold medal around his neck, Arteta told reporters: «It’s very difficult to put it into words. What a moment. A lot of emotions, a lot of joy, pride. The way we did it reflects what the boys feel and the reason why this magic happened.»
«I’m happy and relieved. Obviously we’ve made some huge steps on this journey. We’ve achieved a lot of things that have a lot of value. But at the end of the day, we’re here to win big trophies. That was the ultimate goal. We’ve come very close.»
«We came up three short, and that was very painful. But I think that pushed us all to find new ways to show what we’re made of and that’s why I said the way we did it makes it even better.»
‘Incredible energy’
Arteta has finally ended Arsenal’s six-year trophy drought, admitting he sometimes doubted the club would ever cross the line in the title race after its three runner-up finishes.
But the intensely driven boss has no intention of resting on his laurels.
«I said to the boys that this shirt now represents something different. We are the champions, and that brings a lot of confidence and a different kind of presence and energy,» he said.
“But also a different kind of responsibility. And it is my job now, and for everyone at the club, to now take those standards to the next level and achieve much more, because I think we are capable of doing that.”
Next on the list for Arteta is winning the Champions League for the first time in Arsenal’s history.
They face Paris Saint-Germain in the final in Budapest on Saturday in what will be only the Gunners’ second Champions League showpiece after their loss to Barcelona in 2006.
Arteta believes Arsenal can beat PSG, who beat them in the semi-finals last season, if they use the positive feelings of the title win as motivation.
“We need that energy to flow, and going against it will be a big mistake,” he said.
«We have already talked about what we have to do in Budapest, how we are going to use the incredible energy that we all carry towards that final. And tomorrow we will prepare for that. We can’t wait to write a new chapter in the history of our club and take the Champions League to the next level.»
Published on May 25, 2026
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