Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed why he chose to watch Manchester City’s draw at Bournemouth, a result which sealed the Premier League title, away from his squad.
Arsenal were crowned champions on Tuesday night following City’s dropped points at Bournemouth, with the Gunners’ squad watching the fixture from the club’s training ground.
Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze were among the group to celebrate late into the night, and Arteta has revealed that he wanted the players to ‘be themselves’.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, Arteta said he felt the presence of the manager might dim some of his side’s celebrations.
“I think 20 minutes before the game I had to leave. I couldn’t bring the energy that I wanted, and ultimately it was their moment to watch it together and be themselves,” he said.
“I went home, I went outside to the garden and had a BBQ and I didn’t watch any of it. I was just hearing some noises in the living room and suddenly the magic happened. My eldest son opened the garden door, started to run towards me, gave me a hug and said: ‘We are Champions, daddy!’ It was beautiful.
“It was the team’s moment. They had to be themselves. If I’m there, I don’t think it would have been the same. I think they enjoyed it. We had our moment together a few hours later.”
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