By Gabriel Mills
Ending a 22-year wait for a league title meant Mikel Arteta became the first Arsenal head coach to be awarded with Manager of the Season since Arsène Wenger in 2001/02.
The Spanish manager fought off Keith Andrews, Régis Le Bris, Michael Carrick, Pep Guardiola and Andoni Iraola to land himself the individual honour.
A 1-0 win at home to Burnley before Manchester City were held to a draw against Bournemouth last week meant Arsenal kicked off against Crystal Palace on Sunday as Premier League champions.
While celebrations were wild for the Gunners, a Champions League final against PSG draws nearer as Arteta hopes to be the first head coach to lead Arsenal to European glory.
‘Fascinating journey’
Having taken over at Arsenal in December 2019, with the team slumped in 11th position, Arteta’s project has finally reaped rewards after six years.
When speaking at the LMA award ceremony, Arteta commented on the near-misses in recent seasons before finally becoming champions.
“It’s been a fascinating journey. For a few years, we’ve been knocking on the door, we’ve been trying – we fell short a few times,” he explained.
Although fans could see the progression for Arsenal, doubt crept in at times this season and many wondered whether the title would slip away once again.
Through mental strength and defensive solidity, though, Arteta wrote himself and his team into the history books.
READ MORE: Championship news: Nuno Espirito Santo to continue as West Ham head coach
Long-awaited glory
Many of the fans who fill out the Emirates each week will have never seen their side win the Premier League.
Since 2003/04, Arsenal have picked up five FA Cups, but league success has evaded them completely.
Five second-placed finishes, including three in a row leading up to this season, make success this time around extra sweet.
Following the season’s final match against Palace, Arteta spoke to Sky Sports and said: “The fans have been waiting for this for so long.
“We have had some difficult moments along the way, but all of them are worth it when you see that kind of reaction.”
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Champions League news: Chelsea icon Ruud Gullit backs PSG to beat Arsenal in Budapest final
Individual awards
Of the eight nominees for the Premier League Player of the Season, three play for Arsenal.
They are Declan Rice, Gabriel and David Raya – the latter having already won the Golden Glove for his 19 clean sheets this campaign.
Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly, meanwhile, picked up the Young Player of the Season award after beating the likes of Eli Junior Kroupi, Rayan Cherki and Alex Scott.
Regardless, Arsenal’s attention has swiftly turned to the monumental match-up with PSG this weekend as noted in Arteta’s Manager of the Season speech.
“We have an amazing opportunity to write new history in our football club and we are convinced that we are going to do it,” he said.
Ultimately, a victory in Budapest this weekend would turn a successful season into one of the club’s greatest.
READ NEXT: KSI shuts down the O2 with Baller League UK victory
Michael Davey