Former Arsenal defender Matthew Upson has praised Mikel Arteta for stamping his identity on the club and winning the Premier League ‘his way’.
Arsenal are champions of England after winning the 2025-26 Premier League title. Manchester City’s failure to beat Bournemouth on Tuesday night means Arsenal cannot be caught at the top of the table.
The Gunners travel to Crystal Palace on the final day in a fixture that will be filled with celebration. Arsenal’s title win is their first in 22 years, and Upson has hailed Arteta for the work he has done in North London since arriving as manager in 2019.
“What an achievement. Mikel Arteta – how much has he wanted this title? He has been desperate alongside everyone associated with the football club. They’ve done it in their own style, a different way, but they’ve achieved something absolutely incredible. What a night for Arsenal,” he told the BBC.
“They have done it in a way that has drawn attention and a lot of criticism but who am I to judge how someone wins a Premier League title? The point is, they’ve done it their way.
“There’s been some narrow wins, scruffy performances, but that’s what it takes. If you can get it over the line with the quality that is in the Premier League at the moment then it is a major achievement.
“Arteta has been desperate for it, it’s a big body of work to get them to this place. I’m very happy for him in particular.
“He has stamped his identity on the football club and was confident enough, brave enough and bold enough to go into that process. There’s been bumps along the way, and this season, but the group has overcome it.
“The strength of the squad has been unmatched in terms of depth and quality. Credit to the manager for utilising it right and getting the job done.”
