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Mikel Arteta said that he found out Arsenal had won the Premier League while having a BBQ in his garden because he couldn’t bear to watch Manchester City’s game against Bournemouth.
The Arsenal squad were at their London Colney base watching City drop points, which confirmed the Gunners as champions, with Arteta staying at home to watch it with his family.
He had originally planned to be at the training base, before ‘having to leave’ 20 minutes before the game kicked off.
‘It’s one of the best feeling I ever had,’ said Arteta.
‘I was supposed to be here with the players, and certain staff, because that’s what they wanted. But I couldn’t. Twenty minutes before the game, I had to leave, I couldn’t bring the energy that I wanted.
‘It was their moment to be together, watch it themselves and just see what the outcome would be.
Mikel Arteta joined Arsenal’s stars at Tape nightclub after missing the Man City game
Arteta was at home cooking a barbecue when his son shouted: ‘We’re champions Daddy’
Meanwhile Arsenal’s players were watching together and celebrating at their training ground
‘My oldest son opened the garden door, ran towards me, started to cry, gave me a hug and said “We’re champions Daddy”. My other two boys and my wife came over and it was beautiful to see the joy on them, they are always with me.
‘It was magical. A minute later Martin Odegaard was with the video: “Where are you? Come over”.
‘I said: “Enjoy it. See you in a few hours, somewhere in London”.’
Bukayo Saka, David Raya and William Saliba were absent from the group session on Thursday as they focused on individual training programmes, while Jurrien Timber, who has been sidelined for the past two months with a groin problem, was also absent.
Year 11 student Max Dowman was also missing as he completes his GCSEs.
Artea’s side will lift the Premier League trophy at Selhurst Park ahead of their Champions League final against Paris St Germain six days later.
More to follow.
