Arsenal supporters gather at the Arsenal stadium after Arsenal’s soccer team won the Premier League title in London, on May 19, 2026.
| Photo Credit: AP
Manchester City’s 1-1 draw at Bournemouth on Tuesday (May 19, 2026) assured Arsenal a first Premier League title since Arsene Wenger’s “Invincibles” in 2004.
But the road to success was anything but smooth.
Back in 2021, Arsenal’s hierarchy had a big decision to make. It was August 28, and the team had just lost 5-0 at Man City to slump to the bottom of the Premier League standings with a third straight loss to open the season — something that hadn’t happened since 1954.
Mesut Ozil, who had just left Arsenal after being frozen out by Arteta, sarcastically posted “Trust the process” on social media, in a cutting reference to the methods of his former coach.
The board, headed by American owner Stan Kroenke, stuck with Arteta, though.
In the early years of his tenure, Arteta placed his trust in younger players to revive Arsenal’s fortunes.
Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe were among the academy players promoted to the first team. An 18-year-old Gabriel Martinelli arrived from Brazil in 2019.
Another 18-year-old, William Saliba, joined the same year from France and was initially loaned out. Over the next couple of years, players under the age of 23 — such as Ben White and Martin Odegaard — were signed.
Arteta honed these youngsters into top-class Premier League players but it was clear that to make the final step, the club needed to buy slightly older, elite-level players like Declan Rice, Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze.
They didn’t come cheap.
Finishing as runner-up in the Premier League for the past three years saw Arsenal’s players and Arteta derided as “nearly men,” even chokers.
But Arteta kept believing in his squad — and kept coming up with unorthodox, ridicule-inviting methods to inspire his players.
A professional pickpocket was reportedly hired for a preseason dinner and took items from players, highlighting the need for them to be alert at all times.
Arteta brought a lightbulb into the locker room ahead of one game, linking that to his demand for the team to shine and light up Emirates Stadium. Just a few weeks ago, TikTok videos featuring fan chants were played on big screens during practice sessions.
For a couple of seasons, Arteta’s Arsenal has been the emblem of a more back-to-basics approach in English football — set-pieces, long throw-ins and long balls from the back.
It’s a world Arsenal has mastered, with Gabriel Magalhaes a menace at corners, Rice key with his pinpoint throws and dead-ball deliveries, and Gyokeres a more robust, hold-up striker.
Rice and goalkeeper David Raya have stood out for Arsenal this season, putting them among the favorites for English soccer’s Player of the Year award.
Published – May 21, 2026 05:02 am IST
