TL:DR – Mikel Arteta reveals conversation with Andoni Iraola after Arsenal title win
- Mikel Arteta celebrated Arsenal’s first Premier League title in 22 years after Manchester City’s draw with Bournemouth confirmed their win.
- Arteta called friend Andoni Iraola, who played a pivotal role in the title race, congratulating him on Bournemouth’s success.
- Arteta expressed relief and satisfaction at proving doubters wrong, declaring Arsenal will strive for more achievements.
- He shared an emotional moment with his son upon hearing the title news, highlighting personal joy amid the celebrations.
Mikel Arteta reveals what he told Andoni Iraola after Arsenal Premier League title win
Mikel Arteta is now a Premier League title-winning manager (Picture: Getty)
Mikel Arteta has revealed he called childhood friend Andoni Iraola after his Bournemouth side played a huge role in securing Arsenal’s first Premier League title in 22 years.
The Gunners were confirmed as champions on Tuesday evening with a game to spare after Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw at the Vitality Stadium.
A month earlier, the Cherries appeared to have put a major dent in Arsenal’s ambitions after they swept to a shock 2-1 win at Emirates Stadium.
A few weeks later, however, and Iraola went a huge way to compensating for the damage he inflicted that day as Bournemouth, in what his last home game at the helm, secured European qualification as well as fulfilling his role as king maker.
‘I didn’t message him, I rang him,’ said Arteta, speaking at Arsenal’s Champions League final media day. ‘I called him yesterday, firstly to congratulate him on the incredible job he has done with Bournemouth.
‘I told him he almost took the Premier League away from us and then helped us to win it on the last week!
‘I rang him to show my admiration towards him and wish him the best in the next chapter of his career, which I’m sure is going to be very successful.’
Arteta, meanwhile, revealed he was building a fire as his crying son broke the news to him that Arsenal had been crowned champions for the first time in over two decades.
Arteta, speaking publicly for the first time since Arsenal were guaranteed of this season’s title, also admitted the ‘relief’ of proving his doubters wrong before laying down the gauntlet to the club’s rivals by declaring: ‘Now we want more.’
Arsenal’s players and staff watched the drama unfold at the club’s training base, but Arteta headed home to be with his family.
‘It’s one of the best feelings I’ve ever had,’ said Arteta. ‘I was supposed to be here, at the training ground, watching the game with the boys and the staff because that’s what they wanted – but I couldn’t.
Arsenal are Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years (Picture: Getty)
‘Twenty minutes before the game I had to leave. I couldn’t bring the energy that I wanted, and ultimately it was their moment to watch it together and be themselves.