Pep Guardiola has congratulated Mikel Arteta after Arsenal secured their first Premier League title in 22 years, edging out Manchester City with a game to spare. The Gunners clinched the crown when City drew with Bournemouth on Tuesday, making the final-day decider unnecessary.
Arteta's Humble Attitude Rewarded
Mikel Arteta's gracious response to Manchester City's title win three years ago has now been rewarded. Arsenal had finished as runners-up in the previous three seasons before their breakthrough triumph. After City's 2022/23 victory, Arteta revealed a phone conversation with Guardiola.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Arteta said: "I called him to congratulate him and the staff because people may think things that happen are granted for them. They have to work so hard and all the hours they put in, how much they suffer and how much they have to think and think… and try to always promote that winning mentality that they are doing."
He added: "Then at the end, you have to say congratulations, this is sport. He's a really good friend of mine. I not only respect him but I admire him as a person, as a professional. So when you are in reach, you have to take all of the positive things that we've done in the season and how far we've come, and some (lessons) for sure to be better."
Mutual Respect Between Managers
This graciousness in defeat highlighted the mutual respect between the pair, who previously worked together at Manchester City. Guardiola echoed similar sentiments after Arsenal's title was confirmed.
Discussing Arsenal's championship, Guardiola said: "Congratulations to Arsenal, Mikel Arteta and his backroom staff and fans for this Premier League - it's well deserved. At the same time, during my managerial career it was one of the years where we fought the most with incredible things that we could not control. We were always there and never gave up."
He continued: "I would have loved to arrive in the last moment to try even though it wasn't in our own hands. Today the fatigue was there, they had 12 days to prepare that game and they played for qualification for the Champions League with an extraordinary team and are incredibly well managed. Since January we were really good. We had a lot of injuries and many things that were out of our control."
Guardiola reflected on the season: "We learned a lot this season. What we have to do to win. We have to win a lot of points, we have to have an advantage otherwise there are circumstances that you cannot control. We played many, many moments with difficulty and never gave up. That is why we are here."
He concluded: "I would have loved to arrive in the last moment against Aston Villa at home with a chance. But unfortunately, we did not win and today we missed that pace and the situation required against teams like Bournemouth. They are 17 games unbeaten and that's because they are really good side. We fought incredibly a lot and now prepare for next season."
