Mikel Arteta has suggested that external doubts around his ability to complete the “final job” at Arsenal had led to him questioning whether he was the right fit to remain as manager.
Speaking moments after getting his hands on the Premier League trophy, Arteta said that he felt both joy and relief to have ended the Gunners’ 22-year wait to become champions of England.
Arteta praised his inner circle for maintaining belief when even he was pondering whether external noises around his ability to take Arsenal over the threshold following a succession of second-placed finishes were correct.
“I think we showed an incredible connection, an incredible commitment, and an incredible courage,” Arteta told Sky Sports. “Everything that was around us has fueled the desire that we have to go and do it and look at that.
“There are doubts… I think doubts and an understanding that maybe, OK, I’ve been able to take them all the way here but maybe somebody else has to come and do the final job. But thank God. I feel a lot of joy and honestly a little bit of relief.
“I can control certain things but there are many things that are out of your hands, and that’s why you need the best people around you. Sometimes when you doubt yourself, to have people as well next to you to say, no, we’re going to do it and we’re going to do it with you.”
While Arsenal’s squad and an extensive backroom staff enjoyed their moment in the Selhurst Park sun, Arteta will be quick to shift attention to Saturday’s Champions League final against holders Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest.
“This shirt represents something else,” he added “Now we have the opportunity to create new history in our club. I am convinced we are going to do it.”
That sentiment was echoed by club captain Martin Odegaard following a 2-1 win away to Palace, with the Norwegian playmaker, also speaking to Sky, saying: “We had a great celebration on Tuesday. The vibes are unreal. Everyone is so happy. But we have another big final in just a week, so we’ll wait to party until after that.
“I think we’re off tomorrow. Then Tuesday training, so we’ll go easy tonight I think.”
Pressed on what it would mean to win the Champions League, Odegaard added: “It would be unreal. We’re living a dream, winning the Premier League, being in a Champions League final. We’ve got to be ready and go for it and hopefully we can do it.”
