LONDON — Mikel Arteta had barely wiped away the tears of joy that followed Arsenal’s English Premier League trophy presentation before he challenged his players to make more history by winning the UEFA Champions League.
Arteta’s side finally got their hands on the Premier League silverware in an emotional scene following the 2-1 win against Crystal Palace.
Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke scored the Gunners’ goals at Selhurst Park to ensure they finished seven points clear of second-placed Manchester City, AFP reported.
Arsenal had already wrapped up their first English title for 22 years when City were held to a draw by Bournemouth on Tuesday.
But being presented with the trophy was the icing on the cake for Arteta and his players as they soaked up the enormity of their achievement in the south London sunshine.
Captain Martin Odegaard lifted the trophy, draped in red and white ribbons, in front of thousands of ecstatic Arsenal fans crammed into one corner of the stadium.
Arteta was thrown in the air by his jubilant players before the Spanish boss was moved to tears, kissing his wife on the pitch.
Arsenal’s joyous celebrations lasted for almost two hours before Arteta headed for his post-match press conference clad in a Gunners shirt with ’26 Champions’ on the back.
A gold medal around his neck, Arteta told reporters: “It is very difficult to put it into words. What a moment. A lot of emotions, a lot of joy, pride.
“The manner that we’ve done it, represents what the guys are feeling and the reason why this magic happened.
“I’m happy and relieved. Obviously, throughout this journey, we have made some massive steps. We have accomplished a lot of things that have a lot of value.
“But at the end of the day, we are here to win major trophies. That was the ultimate goal. We came very close.
“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 and that’s why I said that the manner that we’ve done it, it makes it even better.”
Arteta has finally ended Arsenal’s six-year trophy drought and he admitted there were times he doubted the club would ever get over the line in the title race following their three runners-up finishes.
But the intensely driven boss has no intention of resting on his laurels.
“I said to the boys that this shirt now represents something else. We are the champions, and that brings a lot of confidence and a different kind of presence and energy to it,” he said.
“But another kind of responsibility as well. And my job now, and for everybody at the club, is going to be to lift those standards now and achieve much more, because I think we are capable of doing it.”
