Tuesday night brought a milestone for Arsenal as the club secured its first Premier League title in 22 years. Players and staff gathered in front of a television at the Sobha Training Center to watch, then celebrated with champagne, a rendition of Queen\u2019s \u201cWe are the Champions\u201d and embraces. The occasion also prompted public praise for the manager who led the team to the summit.<\/p>\n
Former players singled out Mikel Arteta for his tactical approach, sustained belief and for guiding the club back to the top of English football. Several alumni offered reflections and congratulations in print, on social platforms and in broadcast interviews.<\/p>\n
Dani Ceballos, the 29-year-old midfielder who spent two seasons at Arsenal after joining on loan from Real Madrid in 2019 and returning for 2020\u201321, was among the first to pay tribute. He recorded two goals and six assists in 77 matches for the Gunners and is now back with Real Madrid, where he is under contract until June 2027. \u201cCongratulations to Arsenal, the players and the fans for winning the league title,\u201d he wrote on X Tuesday night.<\/p>\n
\u201cEspecially to Mikel Arteta. You always believed in the club and worked harder than anyone to achieve this. You deserve it, boss.\u201d<\/p>\n
Granit Xhaka, the former Arsenal captain and Swiss international who joined in 2016 from Borussia Monchengladbach and spent seven years at the club before departing after the 2022\u201323 season, also posted praise. He left with a tally of 23 goals and 29 assists across 297 appearances and now plays for Sunderland in a key starting role. \u201cA special team, great players, and a club that never stopped believing, but this is all because of you, Mikel,\u201d he posted on his Instagram story , alongside a photo of him hugging Arteta.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo everyone who doubted you, give this man and this coach the respect he deserves. Congratulations to the whole Arsenal family.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ian Wright, the former Arsenal forward turned English media personality who spent seven seasons at the club between 1991 and 1998 and made 296 appearances, reflected on Arteta\u2019s impact in broadcast comments. \u201cWhat can I say, Mikel,\u201d Wright said to Stan Sport. \u201cUnbelievable. For what he\u2019s done. Almost visionary what he\u2019s done.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe came in and turned everything around, got the owners on the [same] side, got the fans on side, got players out and players in. Stuck to his principles. It\u2019s amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Former centre back Matthew Upson, now 47, who played at Arsenal from 1997 to 2003 after beginning at Luton Town in Bedfordshire and helped the team record six clean sheets in 34 Premier League appearances across those seasons, added: \u201cArteta has been desperate for it, it’s a big body of work to get them to this place,\u201d Upson told BBC Radio 5 Live . \u201cI\u2019m very happy for him in particular. ]”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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