Arsenal are Premier League champions for the first time since 2003/04, the long-awaited culmination of Mikel Arteta’s six-and-a-half years in charge completed with the usurping of long-time tormentors Manchester City.

League table finishes under Arteta tell a story of a successful initial rebuild, only to fall continually short of the summit: completed seasons of 8th, 5th, 2nd, 2nd, 2nd and now 1st. Arteta’s eccentricities amid near-misses have led to derision aplenty from rival supporters, but as Arseblog’s Andrew Mangan explains, he was never truly doubted by those within.

‘It’s taken a lot of hard work, a lot of dedication. He has put his heart and soul into bringing success back to this football club, which is what he said he was going to try and do when he took over in 2019,’ Mangan told Box2Box.

‘External to Arsenal, there is this sort of caricature idea of who Arteta is. Because he acts a certain way on the sideline – as if he’s the only manager to do that. I don’t know why the spotlight is on him in that way, but I think a lot of people have chosen to take a very surface level view of him, and not understand the work he’s done and tried to do.

‘You know, this is not a guy who just jumps around on the sideline for show. He’s very passionate. He wants to win. He wants Arsenal to be the best it can possibly be in every aspect of the game, and I’m really, really happy for him, I have to say.’

Following the departure of Arteta’s great mentor and adversary in Pep Guardiola from City, the runway does now appear relatively clear to target back-to-back titles. Granted, the same was said of Arne Slot’s Liverpool twelve months ago, but Arteta’s proven ability to have his side contending year on year should mitigate the chances of a similar collapse.

But before the challenge of defending the feat, a chance to make this season even sweeter. Having spent years in pursuit of their 14 English League title (which coincidentally now matches their 14 FA Cups), they can become European Champions for the first time should they beat PSG in Sunday morning’s Champions League final (5.00am AEST).

Pubs will again be packed around Australia in the early hours of the morning, as they have been over the past month for their decisive league fixtures. You can guarantee Arsenal shirts will outnumber those of PSG blue, as they would most clubs around the world.

‘Something Arteta said in his post-game press conference was that this was a victory for the ‘we.’ What he meant was the team, the staff, the owners and the fans, whether you’re a fan in North London, America, Australia or Africa – everyone is part of this Arsenal community.

‘PSG are a great side, as we know, but I think Arsenal have shown they’re capable of achieving results when they don’t play particularly well. My firm belief is Arsenal have a better chance of winning on Saturday, having won the Premier League.

‘I can’t really imagine what it would be like going to Budapest with everything on the line, with any success for the season dependent on that game. So taking that confidence, having lifted some of the pressure and weight of all those years without big success… the players in some respects will feel liberated.’