Arsenal lift first Premier League trophy in 22 years as Arteta admits to title ‘doubts’ – live reaction – UK Times

The Independent’s Sport team assess the season, including Newcastle and Liverpool’s thriller, Brentford overachieving and Man United finally finding a consistent goalkeeper…

“I believed it 100 per cent because I took a lot from that game, but also to comfort my team-mates as well and calm everyone down because there were still five games to go. It weren’t like it was the last game of the season.

“I think after that we started to just be a bit more free in our game, didn’t we? Like we started to play a bit better, it was a little bit less pressure off us because in April, end of March, you could sense there was a bit of pressure with the performances.

“We were not trying to let any outside noise come in, but once that City game was over, I think we actually said, look, boys, it’s five games, we’ve got this whole way top, like we can’t throw this away. It was a strong message and it’s paid off.”

“It’s crazy. I don’t know how to describe it, you know. It’s like when you’re that age, you look at the players in the first team, it’s like heroes, like untouchable. You don’t actually believe you can get there.

“But now I’m here, I’m just like… I don’t know what to say. I don’t know what to say. I’m just over the moon, man. This is everything to me and my family. We’ve worked years for this, so I’m just so happy.”

Bukayo Saka, a one-club man with Arsenal, on ending the banter years with a first title in 22 years

“I was in a dark place, obviously I know what you guys have done for the club and where this club has been in the past. At that very moment we very, very low and very far from the level that I believed Arsenal should be.

“Obviously I know from school, from social media…. what people say about Arsenal, how they laugh about Arsenal, in that moment I was just so sad. I just wanted to put it all out in a post, and that’s just what I felt at the moment.

“But it’s done, man. It’s no more jokes, man. It’s our time.”

In the giddy days between Arsenal being confirmed as English champions and actually getting to lift the Premier League trophy, there was a little line that the players had been talking about.

They wouldn’t actually believe they’d done it until they actually got to hold it; to feel how heavy it was.

It had been weighing over them for so long, after all. This proved it was real. Every part of its 25.4kg testament to that, nothing left to waste.

That’s a bit like Arsenal themselves, given how much went into this arduous title win. Nothing was left on the training ground.

This Premier League season demanded everything from them.

If there has been some commentary on how the Premier League also needed a different winner to underline its vaunted competitiveness, that touches on one of the key themes of the campaign.

Mikel Arteta, speaking to Sky Sports, admits there were doubts over whether he was the right man to lead Arsenal and help them take the final step…

“I think we showed an incredible connection, an incredible commitment, and an incredible courage. 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.”

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, speaking to Sky Sports after lifting the Premier League trophy:

“A lot of hard work behind there. So emotional but a beautiful, beautiful day Amazing achievement. You always have the doubt and the fear that you’re not going to make it, but we have that belief in ourselves and even in the tougher situations.

“ I think we really, really stick together and probably even more in those situations, you know, so we had that belief and we know what we can. We just kept on fighting and we got there in the end.

“We were so strong mentally. After that [Man City defeat] that we said to each other we’re still going to do it, it’s not over. I think the belief was even stronger after that game, and I think we’ve shown that the last few games on the pitch to get over the line.

Arsenal’s players have grabbed Mikel Arteta and are chucking him high to huge cheers from the travelling fans.

Another special moment as the champions and the fans join together to sing North London Forever.

Worth the 22-year wait, Arsenal fans?

After three runners-up finishes in a row, Arsenal’s triumphant players are taking in every moment as they pass the Premier League trophy between them.

Mikel Arteta, who has put up with more criticism than anyone, spins around on the spot and then lifts the trophy high in front of the Arsenal fans! What a moment!