Finishing second for three consecutive seasons was painful. At times, many supporters feared Arsenal had allowed opportunities to slip away during the closing stages of previous campaigns. However, on this momentous occasion, Arteta and his squad finally proved the doubters wrong. They have erased years of title frustration and answered the burning question of whether this club could truly reach the pinnacle again.
It is easy to forget the difficult days when Arsenal dragged themselves through consecutive eighth place finishes in the Premier League during the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons. Back then, Arteta was tasked with rebuilding a broken squad, step by step. The early highlight of his tenure was lifting the 2020 FA Cup against Chelsea in front of a ghost-town Wembley during the pandemic, a milestone that has finally been eclipsed today.
Difficult decisions changed Arsenal’s direction
One of Arteta’s greatest strengths has been his willingness to make difficult decisions. He moved on influential figures who no longer aligned with the standards and culture he wanted to build.
High profile names, including former captain Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Özil, were firmly removed from the first team picture and eventually departed the club.
Furthermore, Arsenal systematically moved on players who had reached the end of their cycle at the club. Shkodran Mustafi, for instance, departed for Schalke 04 after mutually agreeing to terminate his contract. Arteta handled a huge amount of squad restructuring while trying to guide the club away from years of stagnation and inconsistency.
Between 2006 and Arteta’s arrival in 2020, Arsenal operated through a financially restrictive period. The club carefully managed wages and spending while helping support the transition into the 60,000 capacity Emirates Stadium after leaving Highbury. During those years, sustaining a genuine title challenge often felt difficult and second place in 2016 ultimately became one of the few moments where Arsenal looked capable of reclaiming the league.
Arteta changed that reality.
He built a young, dynamic and energetic squad while successfully integrating elite academy talents such as Bukayo Saka and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Saka in particular has developed into Arsenal’s attacking reference point through his creativity, goals and relentless consistency.
Building a title winning culture
When it mattered most, Arteta was not afraid to back ambition. Arsenal broke their transfer record with the £105 million signing of Declan Rice and the midfielder has repaid that investment with performances that influence every area of the pitch.
Just as importantly, Arteta established clear standards throughout the club. He created an environment where no individual is bigger than the badge and accountability became part of the culture.
By demanding those standards and reshaping expectations, Arteta has transformed Arsenal’s ambition and identity. His forward thinking mentality echoes elements of Wenger’s early years and the standards set during the Invincibles era.
By achieving this milestone, Arteta has secured an immortal piece of football history, becoming the first manager to win the Premier League for a club he also captained and played for in the competition.
What do you think Gooners? Has Arteta now completed one of the greatest rebuilds in Arsenal’s modern history?
Liam Harding
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
ADMIN COMMENT
So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us through this link…
I’d like to add that Arteta has not just completed a huge and very successful transformation of Arsenal on the pitch, but also OFF the pitch too!
As we all know, towards the ends of Wenger’s era, the fan base was hugely split. Emery couldn’t bring the fanbase together either, so in came Arteta – a rookie manager on his first job – yet a disciple of two modern greats; Wenger and Pep.
Not everyone agreed with what he did.
As the article rightly states, he got rid of disruptive forces, and set up bringing in quality.
The fan base started to respond. Some of his training techniques – whilst very imaginative, raised a lot of comments from all sides.
Ultimately, the fan base is as united as I can remember – and i’ve supported the Gooners for over 50 years! The stadium now has an atmosphere and a crowd that’s behind the team. Even before the kick off, our new anthem brings a united front on and off the pitch.
Let’s also not forget, that this season, we’re about to record our highest ever turnover – making us the 3rd most successful club – only behind Barca and RM. That’s some feat in itself and i’m sure this is just the start.
Arteta deserves EVERY plaudit he gets. He and his entire team have transformed our club to where they belong.
Big shout to the Kreonke’s too! When they first came in, they weren’t popular. However, just like Arteta, they’ve won the fans around and turned us into winners.
I’m sure each and every one of the other 19 teams in the PL would jump to be in our shoes right now!
COYG!!!
Yes they would ric and a brilliant post
I have been fortunate to have witness a great occasions in the history of this great club
If there was ever a doubt that we might be split on MA leading this club then it was truly banished on Tuesday night and today
The whole of holloway came to a grinding halt.
The stadium was rocking
Evey on put on the arsenal tops and headed to the stadium
Absolutely mental
An atmosphere of unprecedented feeling and total unity of every arsenal fan
Never experienced this b4 and so honored to have been able to experience this
Young babies dressed up, old and young just full of joy and happiness
Onwards and upwards
Lucky man Alanball08
Just watching the numbers gravitating towards the ground on instagram was incredible but to be in amongst it must have been so special
A long journey but that makes it all the more sweet from being Pep’s water boy to the man that did have the will and determination to make it happen
SueP
I think the authorities were taken by surprise
Closed off holloway
Closed off the entrance to the stadium
If last night was mad I can’t think what next Sunday will be like
A u said , I was very lucky to be able to witness what went on
Ps
Every fan we met was there to celebrate and contributed to making it a true and great atmosphere
Fair play Mikel for delivering it! The smiles you’ve brought to the enormous fan base of this football club is much appreciated!
My childhood dream since 2006 when I started following this great football club, we’re back where I always wanted us to be! Today is a day to be celebrated!
He deserves massive credit and has successfully turned the club around. A lot of ups and downs but that was all part of the journey. Well done Mikel!
Mikel Arteta has firmly established himself in legendary territory.
By perfectly blending the fluid high posesión base football with meticulous set piece dominance, he has proven to be one of the most adaptable and tactical sophisticated managers jn the modern game.
The Spaniard have completely rebuilt the club culture, driving an elite mentality shift, he boast an incredible win percentage, cemented by a spectacular premiere league big ears jug, returning the the championship to north London.
Maybe they are pushing the envelope, but many pundits and fans already place Arteta alongside the legendary Arsne Wenger, the Spaniard tactical flexibility allows Arsenal to win playing spectacular, free flowing football or grinding out results from set pieces.
It is going to be difficult denying the young Spaniard his flowers
Very good article Liam. A very honest and balanced account of the transformation that has led to this point. As it stands, Arteta is clearly one the world’s current great managers and deserves much of the praise he is getting.Hopefully, this is only the beginning of a prolonged successful period for this great club.
We were a sleeping giant. Just look at the celebrations around the world 😂❤️
In Uganda, fans turned the celebration into a full-on stadium event. In Kenya, downtown was completely taken over by hundreds of thousands of Arsenal fans. This club is absolutely massive globally 🌍🔴. Big thanks to Mikel for waking the giant up. The streets are alive again, the fans are dreaming again, and long may the domination continue 🙌🏆
Ibrahim, ecstatic seeing all this kind of celebrations. Happy Gunners around the globe socking in the long wait. Hopefully it opens up for even more sustained success.
Yes, I do strongly agree with the article – always said that if arteta failed to win the title before moving on, he’d already done an amazing job in completely changing the culture and stopped our downward slide – I really think we were heading towards something like we’ve seen with spurs this season (who could so easily have been relegated), and I fully credit him with turning that around.He seems like a nice guy to me, but he has a ruthless side which was absolutely needed at that time and will be useful to him going forwards.
Really can’t understate how difficult it is to turn around something like that – must take a really powerful drive and self confidence to have the belief that the changes you’re making are the right ones. It’s also why I say being stubborn is not necessarily a bad thing – no one achieves anything significant without being stubborn at times. Self belief is crucial, and sometimes that means continuing to do things that don’t like right, giving them time, in the face of criticism.
The fact he’s been able to go one better and win a major trophy is just incredible. I have certainly had my doubts over the past couple of years that he could do it, but the man is relentless and kept pushing himself and his team to achieve what they wanted.
I now want for him to take us on another level and but just be the best side without the ball but also one of the best with it.
Good morning, Champs! 😎
Yes, but Kroenke’s budget and patience with Arteta are also the massive factors of one of the greatest rebuilds in Arsenal’s modern history
There were too many fans and pundits with limited visions and football knowledge who’d been urging Kroenke to sack Arteta, even in March and April this year
Yet Kroenke knew Arteta’s capabilities more than those people and decided to extend the gaffer’s contract
I told you guys many times that the trajectory was upward based on our final league positions in the last five seasons and Arteta just needed a physically dominant CF to win a major trophy. Gyokeres’ strength has massively improved this year, but we need another CF who’s more dominant in the air to make him train harder
Beside haaland and woltemade who are good in the air I don’t see any other
Aghehowa and Zirkzee are also very good in the air
@Gai how many goals did Aghehowa and Zirkye scored last season with headers? 20 goals return in all competition for a first timer in EPL isn’t a bad start. Gyokeres will be better next season.
But if Arsenal is to Buy another CF IMO it should be a different profile like Alvarez.
They didn’t score a lot of goals with their heads, but they won many aerial duels. This will be very useful to win the ball and to create more chances for the other attackers
Gyokeres has been rarely willing to engage in aerial duels
Alvarez is very skilled and works very hard for high press, but he’s not good aerially
Liam thanks for the nice post, Arteta albeit a rockie at the start and some mistakes along the way, understandable for someone learning on the job! He went on building step by step and managed convincing the owners to invest in the project.
Some patience had to be shown, and with the pressure of being such an enormous club, Kroenke Junior stuck with his Guns. Sorry I still hate the senior Kroenke.
Success makes people forget the mistakes and savour in victory as we have just witnessed. Now we have to learn from Liverpool and be wise for the next season.
K
HATE is a strong word but I do understand where you are coming from.
He was terrible for the first 10 to 12 years.
His son with the support of the dad has moved this club on and now we are truly back up there and now have the trophy to show for it.
Tough decision have been made which at the time seemed strange
Moved big players on, riped up contracts, moved a good manager on UE and brought a novice in to take control of our beloved club.
The critics who have stuck it to us over the past 5 years have had to eat humble pie and when asked recently ipersonally
Don’t care what has made me feel please is seeing our own fans who have been sceptical in these long years about MA not being good enough being turned around and able to enjoy this last few days
We have all been united with winning the league . We got it over the line and now we have one more to go to make it one of the best seasons ever in the history of those club
Onwards and upwards
Most significantly they got full control of Arsenal FC in August 2018. From this time their support has been strong and consistent.
He is the sole reason as to why we waited this long, we were often 2/3 signings short of success. He was content with top 4 . Maybe he forgot that being successful or rather winning trophies gets you even more wealth. Don’t think we have ever made the supposedly money we will be getting this year.
Kenya001
Liverpool’s season is one I don’t expect to be replicated by Arsenal next season. I’m not forecasting a second title but Arsenal finds itself in a very different position. For a start, Klopp left a very good squad behind and Slot’s one signing barely featured.
I firmly believe in refreshing the team in bite size pieces unlike the number of players departing Liverpool and those coming in last summer. All too many to integrate imo. Two years is a long time not to ring the changes and the likes of Salah and VVD aged in that time.
We need to build, but we don’t need a lot of players. I expect some to leave but no key players. I think we need a left winger, perhaps a central midfielder and a striker. We have already secured Piero Hincapié.
Didrik,
I’ve read elsewhere that those are the exact positions that will be prioritised.
Thanks Jax, perhaps I’m Silver Mikel, or just able to read his thoughts 😂 Love everything, I’m so grateful and the long wait made it an incredible sweet moment 🫶
In reply to you and DP, Jax, you both have highlighted what I meant. Slot didn’t tweak anything
As for the outgoing ones, Didrik is right imo. No key players going and the ones on loan who we’ve almost forgotten about will be sold – if there are takers
That’s what am saying she, I have hard people say Trossard, Martinelli, Harvetz, white, skelly be sold!!!! To name a few , already 2 sold and that totals 6 . Too many changes when you consider we really needed the squad depth that has been these season.
Seeing all the celebrations not only in London but all over the world has been incredible! We really are gargantuan!
Waking up as champions – what a feeling ❤️🤍
Morning Sue,
I tell you what, it’s so much more comfortable watching in front of the sofa. 😂
Mind you, if it means us winning the Champions League on Saturday, I’ll put myself through it one more time. Oh, my poor back!.😂😉👍
How proud Mr & Mrs Dowman must feel right now🥹
Thank you Mikel, the players and our brilliant fans!
@Ken1945
Nice saying, enjoy the moment 🫶
Over the years I’ve been one of the more vociferous in my opinions of Arteta and some of the things he’s done. But I have got my bib on, and am eating a large chunk of humble pie, with Tomato sauce. You’ve got to have sauce.😂
I must admit I do let my emotions get the better of me at times, and some of my reactions were based on that. But I think if we’re honest we can all be guilty of that in life in general.
But I have to admit that now taking a step back and looking and thinking what he’s done over the last 6 seasons, it pretty phenomenal really. That said I still have my dislikes of certain things, and certain things he does. But I maintain there’s nothing wrong with that.
But over all, I must congratulate Arteta, his staff, the Players, and to the fans also. You’ve played you’re part to. I saw a Manchester United fan say the other day on seeing the streets full of Arsenal fans, that he forgot just what a big club Arsenal are. And he said he was not afraid to acknowledge it, fair play to him.
So to some of you poster’s who’s jaws have probably hit the ground on reading me say nice things regards Arteta, I can be complimentary when I feel its both needed and merited. And this is one of those occasions.
Flip in heck, I’ve just spilt some Tomato sauce down me. Good job I’m wearing that bib. 😂👍😉🏆
Derek, no need for “humblr pie”. Just run twenty times around the Emirates shouting out “Arteta is God”🥳
humble pie
Jax,
I’ll need to after eating that pie, what’s good on the lips is not good on the hips as they say.😂👍
Derek
I do remember you sending a few scud missiles over
Most was constructive, a few emotional but can’t remember you slating others like some did who seem to have gone under ground all of a sudden.
All In The name of football
No harm done and we all sit proudly looking down at the other teams now
Onwards and upwards
Just 20 times Jax? 😆
Be kind to him SueP🤗.
I was thinking he could take Win with him as well. 🐶
🤣
Jax and SueP,
I would take Win the dog with me, but he’s trying to steal my pie. 😂🤣👍
While it is a nice gesture, imo there’s really no need for you or anyone else to eat humble pie. I’d be hard pressed to remember when you were mean spirited about anything happening at the club even if you had strong feelings about them. Everyone has made statements or assertions at one time or another which have not panned out. While I have typically taken a positive slant on things when possible, I’ve also been frustrated by what I saw as the bad and/or the ugly at times. Exchanging and/or expressing thoughts about anything Arsenal related, not having endless and irrelevant battles over who’s “right” or “wrong”, is primarily what I look to JA for.
Just because MA led us to the promised land doesn’t mean you weren’t right about whatever things were said in specific instances. They are your opinions and typically no one can say on a current basis whether you are 100% wrong or right no matter how much they want to debate the details to prove one way or the other. That said, Odegaard does rule! 🤣
Alanball08 and Bruised Banana,
You’re words are very kind and I appreciate them.
Bruised Banana, Odegaard!. You just couldn’t help yourself could you.🤣😂👍
Very good article!
We shouldn’t forget our own Emile Smith Row, he was crucial when we started to move in the right direction. In December 2020 he was outstanding in victory against Chelsea 3-1. In May 2021 he scored our winning goal against Chelsea on the bridge (best player. In the 2021/22 season he made 10 goals and created two assists 🔴⚪️
He might have saved the whole thing – we were looking quite bad and he added a little something different just when it was needed. Great point
Indeed David, no one should be forgotten, but I think ESR played very well in a critical time period. A young academy player that grabbed his chance, sorry it didn’t last because of health issues. For me he was a shining light at that time.
-d 🙂
I’ll add lacazette – he’ll never get any credit but he worked himself into the ground and helped to dig out a decent number of results before he left. Didn’t score enough but he did play a large role in keeping us decent the season before he left
If we win Champions League, MA will be a mega Legend
Something even the great Arsene Wenger couldn’t do
I think we can win it. Having achieved Premier League title, it feels like we can play this one with a dangerous on a roll, like free hit.
It’s going to be exciting build up, and when whistle goes and nil nil – every time we attack it could be the attack what wins it. That will be amazing feeling.
How good is Paris defence? Is it battle hardened in their league like from a Premiere League campaign?
Yes. Definitely can win it.
We beat Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid. Last season we beat Real Madrid twice
We can do it!
It’s amazing how perspectives and dare I say mentalities with regard to judging reality can change just because we finished first rather than second due to being better and/or more lucky with the always unique circumstances or fine margins as MA likes to call them. Thrilled that we won the trophy.
Now that the wait is finally over it would be great to finish the job and win the Champions League this season, especially since it’s half in our hands already. But even if we don’t win it, I just want to see the focus there so at least that elusive trophy has our overdue name on it in the coming years.
Now that MA has the Premiership under his belt, perhaps the boys can, in that popular phrase,
play with hand brake off.
Not on Saturday though. PSG needs a bit more thoughtful approach.
Finally Finally after 22 years of disappointments and ridicule we are Champions again. 🏆 Well done to Arteta an the team you have given us back our smile and joy 👏 Long may it last, pets go out now and dominate English football
There were many people on here saying it’s going to be “rinse, repeat”, come second again….
You guys are “delusional” if you think Arteta is going to win anything this season…
Most of those people very quiet now…
Kia
That was in the past and now we can all move on and look forward to the future.
I am already looking forward to next season see if we can do something that we have never done i. The past and try and retain it which will be mighty hard as everyone will be gunning for us from the start
Let’s try and make history on Saturday
Onwards and upwards
Alanball08,
You’re correct in the modern day era regards Arsenal never retaining the title. They didn’t do it under George Graham or Arsene Wenger.
They say it’s hard enough to win, but even harder to defend. Because as you say, they’ve now got a target on their back.
They did retain it back in the Herbert Chapman days I do believe.
Fair enough, but few of us expected City’s spectacular decline. Apologies all round.
However, let’s not forget the absolutely essential thing, which is. This year’s championship was judged by the incompetence of the rest and of course City. The image of our team in recent months has been Well below average, meaning that the pursuit by a solid City at key points would still not see a title. I don’t think Arteta did anything or showed that he could change that. Of course, not many of the players present, especially the strikers, were in tears throughout. In short, let’s face it, this year City also had these symptoms. Those with these Players have no excuse. I mean, fortunately things happened this way, as if God had mercy on us. I know and this has been shown that with Arteta we can play beautifully. And productive football, but kids need players. The truth is that many of those we have don’t They don’t seem to have a future and we can’t expect big things. So probably at least five will have to leave for somewhere else. Also some multi-million transfers are not They offered almost nothing like madueke but he will get an extension like jokeres, as well as eze. I think Arteta needs to be very careful and not have any illusions about such a kind of transfers. We want players who can do different things, definitely not a lottery. Let’s hope, I believe so, that we can conquer The cup that we are missing and if we succeed then let’s not let the opportunity go to waste by building an empire. The base is there, the data is enough, why not.
Let this feeling be the seed of hunger for all our players to want more.
COYG