Arsenal have written their name into the history books. Mikel Arteta has penned his own new chapter after leading the club to their first Premier League title in 22 years. This Arsenal squad will be forever remembered as legends, the heroes who finally guided the club to glory. They still have the chance to turn their title into a Double by winning the Champions League on May 30. What an achievement that would be.
Sometimes it has not been pretty. It has been incredibly nervous. But, ultimately, they have overhauled arguably the greatest team and manager of the Premier League era. That is Arteta’s greatest achievement: to go toe-to-toe with Pep Guardiola, the juggernaut that is Manchester City and come out on top.
A Rollercoaster Season
It has been a rollercoaster ride of a season full of ups and downs. But also a year which no Arsenal fan will ever forget. This was billed as Arsenal’s best chance in years. After three second-placed finishes in a row there was no excuse this time. And that only added to the pressure and expectation levels which, at times, have felt like a heavy burden weighing the players down.
It was the longest Arsenal have gone post-war without winning the title. Twenty-two years. It is no wonder the stadium has felt nervous at times. This is a huge club, one of the giants of English football and that length of time has been painful. No one could ever have imagined that, after Arsene Wenger’s Invincibles lifted the title in 2004, they would have to wait so long to do it again.
And that only adds to the sense of achievement of this Arsenal team. Arteta has built a team steeped in mentality, strength and determination. No one saw Arsenal coming when they launched their first title attempt under Arteta in 2022/23. It was not unexpected a year later but they fell just short in a head-to-head with Manchester City.
Proving the Doubters Wrong
Last year, Arsenal never really looked like winning the title. Liverpool were the best team. But Arsenal finished second again. 'Ole ole' as the song goes. This year has been about proving they are not bottlers. That is Arteta’s greatest achievement. The Arsenal manager has instilled a winning mentality. They have become kings of the set pieces, scoring goals and grappling at corners has become one of their most reliable assets.
They will probably not go down as the most popular champions - but Arsenal fans will not care. Why would they? It is all about getting it done. Arteta has become more of a pragmatist. What sort of manager would he be if, after finishing second three times in a row, he did not try to do something different? That is what makes Arteta’s achievement even greater. Arteta has gone toe-to-toe with his mentor, Guardiola, and finally come out on top.
A Changing of the Guard
For all City’s wealth, experience and power, Arsenal have won through to be crowned champions again. Let’s be clear: Arsenal have spent big themselves, they are hardly plucky underdogs, but they have beaten arguably the best team of the Premier League era. We may be witnessing a changing of the guard.
City have won 20 trophies in Guardiola’s 10 years in charge but they cannot stay on top forever. City’s rivalry had been with Liverpool. Now Arsenal have stepped forward ready to be the dominant force in English football. Arsenal have removed a huge weight from their shoulders. Now they can relax, enjoy the glory and that is why this may be the start of a new era of success. We may be witnessing the passing of a baton. This is the end for Guardiola and Arteta’s Arsenal must be ready and waiting to step up.
Arsenal have built a formidable squad. Two players for each position. The best squad they have had for years. Pundits were queuing up to say it was the best squad but you only prove that by winning. And now Arsenal have done that in the most wonderful, glorious fashion. These heroes will go down as club legends - but now they have a chance to go down in history as the best ever. If they can finish the other job in Budapest by beating Paris Saint-Germain, they will become the untouchables.
