Mikel Arteta has revealed he did not watch the moment Arsenal F.C. were confirmed Premier League champions, choosing instead to spend the evening at home with his family.
Arsenal ended their 22-year wait for the Premier League title on Tuesday after Manchester City F.C. dropped points in a decisive draw against AFC Bournemouth.
While Arsenal players and staff gathered at London Colney to follow the match, Arteta decided to leave before kick-off.
Arteta said: “It’s one of the best feelings I’ve ever had.
“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.
“I think 20 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.”
The Arsenal manager said he spent the evening in his garden having a barbecue instead of watching the game.
Arteta said: “I went home, I went outside to the garden and had a BBQ and I didn’t watch any of it.
“I was just hearing some noises in the living room and suddenly the magic happened.
“My eldest son opened the garden door, started to run towards me, gave me a hug and said: ‘We are Champions, daddy!’
“It was beautiful.”
The title triumph marked Arsenal’s first league crown since Arsène Wenger led the club’s famous ‘Invincibles’ side to glory in 2004.
After finishing runners-up in three consecutive seasons, Arteta said he wanted the players to enjoy the moment without him.
He said: “It was the team’s moment.
“They had to be themselves. If I’m there, I don’t think it would have been the same.
“I think they enjoyed it. We had our moment together a few hours later.
“Your phone is a bit different when you finish second and when you win it! That’s sport.
“It’s a big lesson in life as well because the margins are so small, it can go either way.”
Arsenal will conclude their league season against Crystal Palace F.C. before facing Paris Saint-Germain F.C. in the UEFA Champions League final.
Arteta said: “When you accomplish it, you realise how immense it is, how big it is for so many people.
“All of the things I have seen from our supporters in different countries is so good.”
