Here is every word Mikel Arteta said during his post-match press conference after he and his Arsenal team lifted the Premier League trophy at Selhurst Park
Mikel Arteta faced the media after his Arsenal side lifted the Premier League trophy. The game against Crystal Palace was of course second-fiddle to what was going to take place afterwards.
The manager and players took to the pitch alongside Josh and Stan Kroenke to see the trophy lifted. Martin Odegaard did the honours as club captain before each of his teammates took it in turns to hold it aloft to the supporters.
The season is, naturally, not done yet either; now the squad go Budapest for the UEFA Champions League final. They could take a brilliant season to an entirely new and historic level.
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Here is every word from the Arsenal manager’s post-match press conference:
Tell us your thoughts, your feelings. How was it?
Very difficult to put it into words, but yeah, what a moment. A lot of emotions, a lot of joy, pride. I think the manner that we’ve done it, I think represents what the guys are feeling and the reason why this magic happened.
Does it feel like a weight is lifted? Are you a different person, a different coach?
I’m the same one, but I’m happier and relieved, I would say. Obviously, throughout this journey, we have made some massive steps. We have accomplished a lot of things that, in my opinion, have a lot of value. But at the end of the day, we are here to win major trophies.
That was the ultimate goal. We came very close, and in three locations we fell short at the end, and that was very painful. But I think that’s what has driven all of us to find new ways to show what we are made of.
That’s why I said that the manner that we’ve done it, it makes it even better.
When we spoke to you the other day, you hadn’t yet touched the trophy. Now you and the team have touched it, how does that change that feeling?
It is different. It was magical the other night, and what we’ve done this afternoon here, I would say even better. Because all the staff are there, everybody is touching it, you see the joy of the players. Our support is the way they are behaving with the team. And of course, the families are around as well, and it brings something else.
On each side, you’re in this area, there’s your family there, there’s all the families from the players too.
Can you point to what this all means to you, getting this trophy after such a long wait?
It’s been a lot. They gave me the opportunity to manage this football club when I had no experience at all. So first of all, I have some words of gratitude to everybody that was involved in that decision. And that’s for sure Edu, that’s Tim, that’s Vinai, that’s a lot of people that were there. Josh and Stan are still here, and you can see their faces today. But there’s a lot of people along the way that have been crucial to the success, to build this connection, to be able to build a team that is so competitive, and ultimately that we have delivered the Premier League.
Obviously, you’ve got a very big game next week, but is it important to savour this moment and soak it up, and then you can go again for next week?
We need to do it, because we need that energy to flow, and going against that, I think it will be a big mistake. We talked about already what we have to do in Budapest, how we’re going to use all the incredible energy that we’re all carrying towards that final, and tomorrow we’re going to start to prepare it. And yeah, we can’t wait to write a new chapter in the history of our club and lift the Champions League.
You said that the main goal is to win an ultimate major trophy, so now you’ve got your hands in it, does it feel like this could be your era of dominance? You see teams go through periods of winning trophies, when they get the first one, they get on the run.
Well, I said to the boys that this shirt now represents something else. We are the champions, and that brings a lot of confidence and a different kind of presence and energy to it. But as well, another kind of responsibility as well, and my job now and everybody at the club is going to be lift those standards now and achieve much more, because I think we are capable of doing it.
You said that you’ve had moments where you’ve doubted whether you were the right man. How did you overcome those, and also, did you ever give any serious thoughts to maybe walking away?
The people around me, starting with my wife, with the board, we just understand, because it’s natural. At the end, I have a very special attachment to this football club, I just want the best for this football club. And sometimes I know how much I have to dig in, in a lot of things in this football club that are not noticeable outside, to get to this point. And at the end, ultimately, what I want is to have this moment, because everybody’s been waiting for so long.
That’s why I said that the manner is the most beautiful thing, because I think this championship is about the win. And the reason everybody’s feeling like this is because they all feel that this is not about one player or two players, it’s about a team that under a lot of noise, expectations and pressure, this team has used us as an inspiration to find the right roads to success. And I’m so, so proud of that.
Just on that, have you had much chance to reflect on what it actually means to be a champion? The history of it, the meaning, the history of the club in that sense?
I think now we need to go through the motions and do what we’ve done all season, which is win football matches. We win one more, and we are the Champions of Europe. As simple as that. And the rest will come.
We saw each of your staff had a different player’s name on their back for the trophy lift. Whose idea was that? Was that something that each staff member chose the player?
I think it was the right thing to do. It’s a tribute to the players. They are the ultimate protagonists. They are the ones that have done their jobs to give us the opportunity to live where we are living today. And they fully deserve that.
I wanted to ask you about your relationship with the players. We saw you being thrown in the air by them who were in front of the fans. It’s a long season and you have to make a lot of hard decisions at different points, but it’s clear they still hold you with real affection and with real love. So how does that make you feel?
Well, I feel very privileged with the connection that we have between us. Not only with me, but with the coaching staff and all the staff. That’s the reason that you can be at a club for six years, six and a half years, seven years. Because you maintain that and that’s organic. And when they look at you, they still feel inspired. And they believe that you can still improve them and help them to live moments like today. Otherwise, it’s impossible. I do really feel that with them. And yeah, I’m very grateful.
