Arsenal boss Arteta phoned Bournemouth's Iraola to thank him for best ever feeling

During his first media duties since Arsenal claimed the Premier League title on Tuesday, Arteta revealed he didn't watch the Bournemouth-Man City match that sealed their fate.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during a press conference at the Sobha Realty Training Centre, London. Photo: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire. 

Mikel Arteta personally rang Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola to thank him for delivering one of the "the best feelings" the Arsenal boss has ever experienced.

During his first media duties since Arsenal claimed the Premier League title on Tuesday, Arteta revealed he didn't watch the Bournemouth-Man City match that sealed Arsenal's fate. Instead he prepared a barbeque at home with his family, with his son eventually charging into the garden to reveal Arsenal were champions.

“It’s one of the best feelings I’ve ever had. I went home, I went outside, I started to do some BBQ. I couldn’t watch it. I could hear noises from inside, then my son opened the door, ran towards me. He was crying and he said ‘we are champions daddy.’”

Bournemouth's 1-1 draw with title holders Manchester City confirmed the end of Arsenal's 22-year wait for the crown. And Arteta thanked his fellow Spaniard Iraola for his part. Bournemouth had defeated Arsenal during the run-in.

"I didn't message him, I rang him. I called him yesterday, firstly to congratulate him on the incredible job he has done with Bournemouth. I told him he almost took the Premier League away from us and then helped us to win it on the last week! 

"I rang him to show my admiration towards him and wish him the best in the next chapter of his career, which I'm sure is going to be very successful."

The Arsenal players watched the City match together at the club training ground, but Arteta felt it was right to keep some distance. 

"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."

Asked how it felt to topple his mentor Pep Guardiola, Arteta added: "Pep has been a huge part of my journey. First of all because I started my career with him and then - not only Pep and Man City - but all the other opponents in the Premier League. They continue to raise the standards to crazy levels.

"The only thing it has provoked in myself, the players, the staff and the club is to be obligated to try and raise the standards and be better than that. In the last few years, we have been very, very close and this time, thankfully, we managed to win it." 

Arsenal had finished runners-up for three seasons in a row, with Arteta acknowledging how different this week has been.

"It's one of the best feelings I ever had"

Mikel Arteta tells us about the moment he found out Arsenal had won the league from his son! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/CavSnhWOQp

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 21, 2026

"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. 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."

As for injury updates, Arteta revealed there has been progress with Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber. 

"Mikel is going to start training with the group tomorrow. Jurrien, let's hope he can do the same in the next few days. But he's still a little further behind Mikel at that moment."