Mikel Arteta may have downplayed any plans for an Arsenal watch-party as Manchester City took on Bournemouth, but there was no chance his players would miss the opportunity to relish the moment they became Premier League champions together.From the gathering at the club’s training ground in St Albans on Tuesday evening, to a 5am stroll outside the Emirates Stadium once the crowds had died down, Arsenal’s players were finally free to release their emotions and enjoy the moment.The winning moment itself was about the collective and, to fully appreciate that, players and non-playing staff congregated at the club’s training ground.Arteta has developed a reputation for innovative thinking during his six years in charge and one of his ideas involved having a blacked-out Premier League trophy framed on a wall at the training ground. This was installed seasons ago, the thinking being that the trophy would remain blacked out until Arsenal won the title.The players would walk past the colourless trophy every day. It has been a source of motivation to get over the line, and one of the moments of the night that they were crowned champions came in front of that very wall.“Light that up!” came the voice of Bukayo Saka as Jurrien Timber filmed on his phone. “Let me tell you something, 22 years they were laughing and joking. They’re not laughing anymore. It’s going to be shining bright!”
Inside Arsenal’s title celebrations: A 5am Emirates stroll, Saka’s sass and lots of bottle
Mikel Arteta's squad and staff were determined to enjoy a night that was 22 years in the making











