Mikel Arteta has finally crossed the line, ending the club’s 22-year wait for another top-flight title and kicking off the Premier League with his Arsenal players.
Mikel Arteta celebrates Premier League win
Mikel Arteta has insisted he is “confident” Arsenal can win the Champions League after finally exiting the Premier League.
“This shirt represents something different,” said the Spaniard, who held it aloft to his players at Selhurst Park after ending a 22-year injury spell.
“We now have the opportunity to create new history for the club and I am confident we will achieve it.”
Meanwhile, captain Martin Odegaard has confirmed there will be no wild celebrations last night as the Gunners remain determined to dethrone PSG in Budapest.
He said: “There was a great celebration on Tuesday. The atmosphere is incredible. Everyone is so happy. But we have another big final in a week, so the party is going to wait until it’s over!”
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“If we could do that, it would be unrealistic. We are living the dream of winning the Premier League and reaching the Champions League final.
“I was talking with my spouse about growing up and dreaming of this, and now we’re there. We’ve got to be ready and go for it, and hopefully we can do it.”
Arteta also admitted there was a time when he doubted whether he was the right person to get Arsenal over the line.
After crying in front of traveling supporters, he explained:
“It’s all thanks to God that I was able to do it, and I feel a great sense of joy and relief.
Mikel Arteta and his coaching staff with the Premier League trophy
“I can control a lot of things, but there are some things that are out of your control, and that’s when you need the best people around you.
“Sometimes when you have doubts, they’re the ones who say, we’ll do it, we’ll do it with you guys.”
Arsenal co-chairman Josh Kroenke and his father Stan were also in attendance, carrying the trophy across the pitch for the jubilant away game. And after finally adding the title to the Gunners’ list of sporting achievements, Josh admitted it was the hardest one to cross the line.
“See, feel and hear what this means. All the fans behind me are thrilled after 22 years. If anyone deserves this, it’s this group,” he said.
Josh and Stan Kroenke were at Selhurst Park.
“[We’re]investing everything, emotionally and financially. This club means the world to us. I think it took some of us a few years to realize what that really meant, but we have great talent, players and coaches. We just have to continue to give them the resources to do magical things like they did this season.”
“This is incredibly special. It burns slower than the championship in America, where they have a play-off system. The points system is tough and credit to the staff, the players and Mikel (Arteta) for keeping him on his toes. They deserve it.”
“Today is about having fun. Tomorrow we have one more play so it’s back to work.”
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After 22 years of near misses, heartbreaks and drama, the Gooners are once again the best team in the land. The souvenir edition tells the story of an extraordinary season by Mikel Arteta’s men. Order your copy here
