Arsenal ended a 22-year wait for the Premier League title with a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke scored the goals as the Gunners finished seven points clear of Manchester City – completing a title victory that had been confirmed when City were held by Bournemouth on Tuesday.
Captain Martin Odegaard lifted the trophy in front of thousands of ecstatic Arsenal supporters before Arteta was thrown into the air by his players. The Spaniard was moved to tears, kissing his wife on the pitch in an emotional scene that lasted almost two hours.
READ: Sibisi – This one goes to Mbokazi and Mabasa
When he finally reached his post-match press conference, still wearing a Gunners shirt with ’26 Champions’ on the back and a gold medal around his neck, Arteta reflected on a journey that included three painful runners-up finishes before this moment.
“A lot of emotions, a lot of joy, pride. We fell short on three occasions 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.”
He was already thinking about Budapest.
Arsenal face PSG in the Champions League final on Saturday – only their second appearance in the competition’s showpiece after their 2006 defeat to Barcelona. PSG defeated them in last season’s semi-finals.
Arteta believes the energy from Sunday’s celebrations can fuel something even bigger.
ALSO: Sundowns get their second star – Soccerzela reaction
“We need that energy to flow. We talked already about what we have to do in Budapest and how we are going to use all the incredible energy that we are all carrying towards that final.”
He issued a clear challenge to his players.
“This shirt now represents something else. We are the champions and that brings confidence and a different kind of presence. But another kind of responsibility as well. We can’t wait to write a new chapter in the history of our club and lift the Champions League.”
– AFP
Photo: Reuters/Matthew Childs
