How Arteta Changed Arsenal into Champions After 22 Years

Arsenal’s long-awaited return to the top of English football was about more than just lifting the Premier League trophy.

Behind this title win, which ended a 22-year wait, was a careful rebuild based on culture, patience, leadership, and a stronger connection between the club and its fans, according to a detailed report by Arsenal.

On Friday, the club shared a behind-the-scenes look at how manager Mikel Arteta, club owners Stan and Josh Kroenke, sporting director Andrea Berta, players, and fans came together to create one of the biggest changes in Arsenal’s recent history.

For Arteta, seeing Arsenal crowned champions was even bigger than the vision he had held for years.

The Spaniard reflected on the moment when captain Martin Ødegaard lifted the Premier League trophy, saying, “It was much better.

“I was just looking at the players’ faces, how much it means to them, and to see them gathering together and lifting it. It was incredible.”

The victory led to huge celebrations in North London and beyond.

Around one million fans filled Islington during the title parade. Celebrations spread across the world, from Uganda and Kenya to India, China, Australia, Ethiopia, and Nigeria, showing Arsenal’s global appeal.

The club called the celebrations something that went beyond just football.

“It felt like a social phenomenon,” the report noted, showing fans climbing trees in London and a church bishop in Lagos leading his congregation in songs about Arsenal’s victory.

Crystal Palace forward Eberechi Eze, who joined Arsenal during the title-winning season, said the achievement was bigger than just winning games.

He said, “There are no words to describe this thing properly, what we’re feeling, what we’re going through, what this moment means.

“This isn’t just about winning the title as a group of players. This is about something that represents an area, represents values, represents people’s dreams… Arsenal is the culture club.”

The club credits much of this change to Arteta’s focus on rebuilding Arsenal’s identity since he took over in 2019.

Co-chair Josh Kroenke said their talks with Arteta during the hiring process focused less on tactics and more on culture.

Kroenke said, “When the time came to hire Mikel, the entire conversation we had with him was about culture and reinventing that.

“You could see him lock in. He had done his homework… and he understood there was a big task ahead of him.”

This philosophy also influenced Arsenal’s transfer plans.

Sporting director Andrea Berta said improving the squad technically was important, but building character came first.

“During the summer transfer window, a focus we both had, Mikel and I, was to improve the team technically. But first, we wanted to improve it humanly because for us, the group, its integrity and its maturity was the most important aspect.”

Captain Martin Ødegaard said new players quickly felt the club’s culture.

“We really care for each other. We really help each other. We fight for each other. We give everything, every single day, for each other,” he said.

On the field, Arsenal’s success depended on strong defense, squad depth, and important contributions from all players.

The report mentions goalkeeper David Raya, defenders William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães, midfielder Declan Rice, and many match-winning moments as the backbone of the title-winning season.

But the club also believes keeping faith during tough times was key.

After losses and increased pressure, Arteta kept pushing for unity and hope.

“Jump in this boat,” he told supporters. “It is going to be fun. A lot of incredible things are going to emerge.”

The key moment came in the final weeks of the season when Arsenal stayed in the title race despite setbacks, finally winning the championship after Manchester City slipped up against Bournemouth.

Declan Rice’s words after losing to City, “It’s not done”, became a rallying cry for the club.

Andrea Berta said everyone shared that belief.

“We never lacked the conviction that this was and would be our season,” he said.

Looking back at the achievement, Arsenal believes the title came from years of hard work, not just one successful season.

According to the club, Arsenal won the league by trusting a long-term plan, strengthening ties between owners, management, players, and fans, reconnecting with its history, and creating a culture where everyone felt they belonged.

“They won by unity, with everyone playing their part to the best of their ability,” the report said, describing the victory as the result of a collective effort that changed both the club and its supporters.