Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta becomes third-youngest boss in Premier League history to win title
London, May 20
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has become the third-youngest manager in the history of the Premier League to win the title after the Gunners were confirmed champions following a 1-1 draw between Manchester City and AFC Bournemouth on Wednesday. The result ensured the Arsenal, led by Martin Odegaard, will finish top of the 2025/26 standings.
At the age of 44 years and 54 days, Arteta is the third-youngest boss to win the Premier League. The only manager younger than Arteta to have won the coveted title is Jose Mourinho, who won the title with Chelsea in 2004/05 at 42 years and 94 days, and then again in 2005/06 at 43 years and 93 days, according to the Premier League website.
The Spaniard has also become the youngest manager in Arsenal history to win the league title, surpassing George Graham, who was 124 days older when he led the club to glory in the 1988/89 season, according to the Arsenal website.
Arteta, who took charge of The Gunners in 2019, has also become the first former Arsenal skipper to lead the tean to a top-flight championship as a manager.
Mikel is also only the second person to feature in the Premier League as a player and go on to win it as a manager, following on from Roberto Mancini, who played for Leicester City in 2001 and guided Manchester City to their first title in the 2011/12 season.
Arsenal have been crowned the Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years after a 1-1 draw between Manchester City and AFC Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth on Wednesday.
The last time The Gunners clinched a Premier League title was in the 2003/04 season, when they won under manager Arsene Wenger and the captaincy of Patrick Vieira.
Martin Odegaard-led Arsenal's title win comes after three straight runner-up finishes, including the 2023/24 season when Manchester City edged them to the Premier League title by just two points.
Arsenal have now secured four Premier League titles, moving two ahead of Liverpool and just one behind Chelsea. Manchester United remain the competition's most successful side with 13 Premier League wins, while Manchester City have won eight. The only other clubs to lift the trophy are Blackburn Rovers and Leicester City, who each have one title to their name.
Arsenal's title-winning campaign has been driven by goals coming from across the squad. While Viktor Gyokeres (14 goals) leads the scoring charts, players such as Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Leandro Trossard, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Mikel Merino have also made consistent contributions throughout the season.
Similarly, assists have been shared too, with Trossard, Martin Odegaard, Rice, Saka, Jurien Timber and Gabriel Magalhaes contributing at least four each.
— ANI
Reader Comments
So happy for Arteta! The man took over during a tough period and transformed the club's culture. From captain to manager, what a journey. Only 44 and already breaking records - reminds me of how young leaders can achieve great things with dedication. 👏
Nice achievement, but let's be honest - Arsenal have been spending heavily in recent windows. Arteta has done well, but the credit also goes to the board for backing him. That said, finally ending the 22-year drought is massive. Hope they can sustain this.
Wow! From coming second three times in a row to finally winning it - that takes real character. Odegaard has been a fantastic captain too. As someone who started watching Premier League during the Henry-Bergkamp era, seeing Arsenal back on top brings tears to my eyes. 😢 Premier League is truly unpredictable!
The stats are impressive - Arteta now sits alongside Mourinho and Mancini in the history books. But let's not forget, younger doesn't always mean better. Wenger was older but his Invincibles season remains unmatched. Still, congratulations to Arsenal! They played the best football this season.
Mikel Arteta showing that age is just a number! As an Indian football fan, I love seeing how the Premier League keeps producing young, talented managers. This is great for the league's global appeal. Arsenal's title win will be celebrated in every corner of the world tonight! 🌍
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