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Arteta Reveals Reason Behind Absence as Arsenal Celebrate Title Win

Published

4 months ago

May 21, 2026

Arteta Arsenal title celebration absence explained as Mikel Arteta reveals emotional reason he missed Arsenal’s Premier League title moment

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed the emotional reason he was not present with players and staff during their gathering to watch Manchester City’s match against Bournemouth on Tuesday night, a result that confirmed Arsenal as Premier League champions.

Also read: Mikel Arteta Praises Officials After Controversial VAR Call

The title celebration of Arsenal became a talking point after Manchester City’s 1-1 draw at the Vitality Stadium sealed the league crown for Arsenal, prompting jubilant scenes among players at the Sobha Realty Training Centre, where footage later circulated online showing celebrations without the head coach.

Explaining his absence, Arteta said he had initially planned to join players and staff but was forced to leave shortly before kick-off, saying he could not “bring the energy” he felt the moment required.

“I was supposed to be here with the players and certain staff… but I couldn’t. Twenty minutes before the game, I had to leave,” Arteta told reporters. “I went home, went outside to the garden, started to build some fire and started to do some barbecue. I didn’t watch any of it.”

Arsenal manager described a deeply personal evening at home, recalling how he experienced the match indirectly while hearing reactions from inside the house before the historic confirmation arrived.

He added that the moment became even more meaningful when his family joined him in celebration. “My oldest son opened the garden door, ran towards me, started to cry, gave me a hug and said, ‘We’re champions, Daddy,’” Arteta said, describing the scene as “magical.”

Arteta missing from Arsenal title celebration was briefly interrupted when captain Martin Odegaard later contacted him via video call, urging him to join the team, to which Arteta responded that they should enjoy the moment and that he would see them later in London.

Arsenal manager said the title win represented one of the most meaningful moments of his career, reflecting on the long journey and collective effort behind the club’s success.

Also read: Redknapp Urges Arteta to Replace Saka on Arsenal’s Right Wing

“It’s one of the best feelings I ever had,” he said, adding that the achievement belonged to everyone involved in the club’s progression.

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Mariam Balogun

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Opinion

Why Are Football Fans Expecting Trophy Haul from Man City’s 114 Breaches?

Published

13 hours ago

September 30, 2026

Mariam Balogun

By Tai Emeka Obasi,

It is exceedingly terrible for clubs operating in a league as supremely elite as the English Premier League, EPL, to fraudulently cheat themselves to massive success.

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Rules are rules, and supposedly responsible club managements should comply with them in administering a game termed the beautiful game.

Manchester City is currently in the eye of the storm for all the wrong reasons.

A whopping 115 breaches were brought against the club, with reports now indicating that an independent commission found City guilty of 114 of them.

The club, however, maintains that the Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements still to be completed and subject to strict confidentiality.

Manchester City chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, has appealed to the fans to remain calm and faithful, insisting that the club will continue to defend its position and pursue the available legal process.

According to reports, Manchester City is expected to appeal the verdict. The sanctions have not yet been announced, and the possible consequences could include a heavy fine, points deduction, stripping of titles or even relegation.

From the available reporting, however, there is no basis for football fans to start celebrating the prospect of receiving Manchester City’s trophies.

Even if titles were eventually stripped, the relevant period under investigation is 2009 to 2018.

During that period, Manchester City won three Premier League titles, in 2011/12, 2013/14 and 2017/18, as well as three League Cups, in 2013/14, 2015/16 and 2017/18.

That immediately puts a different complexion on the matter.

For instance, Manchester United finished runners-up to City in the 2011/12 and 2017/18 Premier League seasons, while Liverpool finished second in 2013/14.

But whether those titles would actually be reassigned to the runners-up is another matter entirely.

There is no automatic rule that says a stripped title simply moves to the team that finished second. Any such outcome would depend on the eventual sanction imposed by the relevant authorities.

The same applies to Arsenal and the League Cup. Arsenal were beaten by City in the 2018 final, but that does not mean Arsenal would automatically inherit the trophy if City were sanctioned.

Expert opinion has suggested that the eventual punishment could include a substantial financial penalty and a huge points deduction, potentially severe enough to threaten City with relegation.

But until the sanction is formally determined, nobody can say with certainty what punishment Manchester City will receive.

For Gunners fans, therefore, we should lower our expectations from City’s debacle. Even if Manchester City are eventually found guilty after the appeal process and even if they are relegated, Arsenal will not stroll to this season’s title.

Our last match against Brighton and Hove Albion is a huge warning that our squad is not as complete as it is generally acclaimed to be.