Arsenal have secured their first Premier League title in over two decades
Mikel Arteta’s gracious approach to Manchester City’s title win three years ago has been vindicated after Arsenal claimed their first Premier League crown in over two decades.
The Gunners finally lifted the trophy after City’s draw with Bournemouth on Tuesday night eliminated any possibility of a final-day showdown. Arteta understands the disappointment of finishing as runners-up in a title race, having endured that fate in the previous three campaigns before this season’s breakthrough success.
After City’s title victory in the 2022/23 season, the Spanish manager revealed details of a telephone conversation he had with Pep Guardiola following the confirmation of their triumph. Speaking to Sky Sports, Arteta said: “I called him to congratulate him and the staff because people may think things that happen are granted for them.
“They have to work so hard and all the hours they put in, how much they suffer and how much they have to think and think… and try to always promote that winning mentality that they are doing. Then at the end, you have to say congratulations, this is sport. He’s a really good friend of mine. I not only respect him but I admire him as a person, as a professional.
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“So when you are in reach, you have to take all of the positive things that we’ve done in the season and how far we’ve come, and some (lessons) for sure to be better.”
This humble response in defeat highlighted the mutual appreciation between the pair, who previously worked together at City. Guardiola will probably harbour similar sentiments towards his fellow Premier League manager, having maintained the title challenge until the campaign’s final run-in.
Addressing Arsenal’s confirmation as champions following Tuesday’s Bournemouth draw, the Spaniard said: “Congratulations to Arsenal, Mikel Arteta and his backroom staff and fans for this Premier League – it’s well deserved.
“At the same time, during my managerial career it was one of the years where we fought the most with incredible things that we could not control. We were always there and never gave up. I would have loved to arrive in the last moment to try even though it wasn’t in our own hands.
“Today the fatigue was there, they had 12 days to prepare that game and they played for qualification for the Champions League with an extraordinary team and are incredibly well managed. Since January we were really good. We had a lot of injuries and many things that were out of our control.
“We learned a lot this season. What we have to do to win. We have to win a lot of points, we have to have an advantage otherwise there are circumstances that you cannot control. We played many, many moments with difficulty and never gave up. That is why we are here.
“I would have loved to arrive in the last moment against Aston Villa at home with a chance. But unfortunately, we did not win and today we missed that pace and the situation required against teams like Bournemouth.
“They are 17 games unbeaten and that’s because they are really good side. We fought incredibly a lot and now prepare for next season.”
