Arsenal were crowned Premier League champions after title rivals Manchester City dropped points against Bournemouth, but Mikel Arteta wasn't with his players at the club's training ground to watch the game
LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - MAY 21: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta attends a press conference at Sobha Realty Training Centre on May 21, 2026 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta delayed joining in the celebrations(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Mikel Arteta has admitted he could not bear to watch Arsenal's greatest night in 22 years. Arteta revealed that he spent Tuesday night in the garden building a barbecue rather than watch through his fingers as Bournemouth won Arsenal the title by holding Manchester City to a draw.
Gunners boss Arteta says it turned into one of the best nights of his life - and now wants to ensure that Arsenal have two trophies at their victory parade. Arteta actually organised a later training training session for the players on Tuesday so they could watch the Bournemouth game together - but then had a last-minute change of heart himself.
Arteta said: "It was one of the best feelings I ever had. I was supposed to be here, watching the game with the boys, and that's what they wanted, but I couldn't. I think 20 minutes later, before the game, I had to leave.
"I couldn't bring the energy that I wanted and I think it was the moment to watch it together, to be themselves and just see what the outcome would be. I went home, I went outside to the garden, I started to build some fire, I started to do a barbecue, I didn't watch any of it.
"I was just hearing some noises in the background in 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'.
"And then my other two boys and my wife came over and it was beautiful. Just to see that joy on them as well, that they are always with me, it was magical."
Gunners captain Martin Odegaard then called Arteta - and insisted the manager join the players for a nightclub celebration to mark their first title since 2004.
I was supposed to be here, at Sobha, watching the game with the boys and the staff, because that's what they wanted, but I couldn't," Arteta explained at a press conference on Thursday. "I think 20 minutes later, before the game, I had to leave.
"Martin called with the video on his phone, 'Where are you? Come over', he said. I said, 'Guys, enjoy it for a while and I'll see you in a few hours somewhere in London'. And yeah, it was beautiful."
Now Arteta wants to round off the celebrations by completing an historic Double with the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest next Saturday. Arsenal already have a victory parade booked to celebrate the title on Sunday, May 31, and Arteta was asked how special he expects that occasion to be for the club.
Arteta added: "I understand that, but I want to have the parade with the two big trophies."