Arteta Finally Delivers Arsenal Glory
There was a curious sense of inevitability about Arsenal’s title celebrations. Not inevitability in the sense that success was guaranteed, because English football has spent the last few years teaching Arsenal precisely how fragile ambition can feel, but inevitability in the emotional release that followed it. After years of hovering close to greatness, after repeated conversations about mentality, maturity and missed moments, Arsenal finally became Premier League champions again.
Mikel Arteta’s side sealed the title after Manchester City stumbled at Bournemouth before wrapping up the campaign with a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace. The images that followed carried the weight of a club rediscovering itself. Players embraced supporters, red scarves swung through the north London air and the long wait since 2004 finally ended.
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For Gary Neville, who understands dynasties better than most after winning eight league titles with Manchester United, the achievement demanded perspective before analysis.
‘This is the first time I’ve been working since Arsenal won the league so a huge congratulations to Arsenal,’ he said on The Gary Neville Podcast.
‘What a journey they’ve been on and they’ve got over the line now. They’ve been knocking on the door for four or five years and credit to the Arsenal hierarchy for building a plan and sticking with it.
‘Credit to Mikel Arteta because this is a game-changer for him, he’s a champion manager now. It’s massive for him and it’s massive for these Arsenal players, it really is.’
Neville Highlights Areas Arsenal Must Strengthen
Yet modern football rarely allows celebration to breathe for too long. The moment a trophy is lifted, attention shifts towards the next challenge. Retaining titles has become the true measure of elite sides and Neville believes Arsenal signings this summer could define whether this triumph becomes an isolated success or the start of something more enduring.
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‘Arsenal will need to add again [in the transfer market] but at this point right now when they’ve won the title and got a Champions League final I don’t want to focus on that,’ Neville explained.
‘I’m not in that mood and I’m actually really happy for them. It’s not the time to start talking about Arsenal being built for a second title run.
‘Let’s be clear, they have to be. But I can’t give that too much consideration given we’ve got a Champions League final and a World Cup coming up.
‘We’ll start to think about those things nearer the time and do they need another centre forward as back-up to Viktor Gyokeres? Do they need another central midfielder in case Declan Rice or Martin Zubimendi aren’t quite there?
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‘There’s probably a couple of positions that Arsenal will still want to think about but they’ve got a lot of strength in that squad.’
Those comments speak to a wider truth surrounding elite football. Arsenal have climbed the mountain, but the landscape changes quickly once you reach the summit. Injuries, fatigue and complacency wait patiently for champions.
Squad Depth Could Shape Arsenal Future
The interesting aspect of Neville’s comments lies less in criticism and more in acknowledgement. Arsenal are no longer being discussed as hopeful challengers. They are now viewed through the lens once reserved for Manchester City or peak Liverpool sides, teams expected to evolve continuously even after success.
Declan Rice remains central to that future, while Martin Zubimendi’s presence offers composure and control in midfield. Viktor Gyokeres has provided Arsenal with a focal point they lacked in previous campaigns. Neville’s suggestion that further Arsenal signings are still required says more about modern title races than it does about weakness.
Ian Wright also senses an opportunity emerging for his former club.
‘You hope this could be the start of something for Arsenal,’ he said on Sky Sports. ‘Pep Guardiola is leaving Man City and we’re not sure what’s happening with some of the other clubs.
‘This is a time when you look at Arsenal’s team, the average age is 24 to 28 and players will want to come to Arsenal now.
‘It’s now up to Arteta and Berta who they want to bring in to continue this. There is a window for Arsenal before everyone else catches up. So, I’m hoping we can take advantage of that.’
Champions League Final Adds Extra Stakes
That sense of momentum extends beyond domestic football. Arsenal now head into a Champions League final against PSG with belief coursing through the club. Success there would elevate this team from champions into something far more culturally significant.
Jamie Redknapp believes the foundations already exist for sustained dominance.
‘The dangerous thing for everyone else in the Premier League now right now is Arsenal could be strong for the next few years.
‘They have good young players coming through. They are going to go again.
‘London is a great proposition for players. Arsenal are the Premier league title winners. Anyone that wants to be serious about their football will be looking at joining Arsenal.’
For Arsenal supporters, that may be the most satisfying part of all. Arsenal signings are no longer about repairing flaws or closing gaps. They are about preserving power.