Boats, fire and a TikTok song - inside Arsenal's title win

By Alex Howell and Sami Mokbel

A unique combination of factors—ranging from a boat, a substantial fire at the training ground, to an AI-generated TikTok song—has significantly influenced Arsenal's achievement of their first Premier League title in 22 years.

While these elements may seem unconventional, each has played a vital role in the triumphant journey led by Mikel Arteta in north London.

Arsenal secured the championship title on Tuesday following a 1-1 draw between Manchester City and Bournemouth. But how exactly did they achieve this remarkable feat?

The wobbles, fire and belief

Arteta has demonstrated a distinct affinity for the concept of fire.

Recently, amidst a challenging stretch that momentarily jeopardized their title ambitions, he encouraged his players to symbolically cast aside their negative thoughts into a fire ignited at the club's training facility.

In a broader context, Arteta has been known for hosting barbecues involving players, staff, and their families at the London Colney headquarters, indicating the value he places on fostering camaraderie.

Now, with the title secured, the Gunners are setting their sights on Champions League success, with a match against Paris St-Germain scheduled for May 30.

If they triumph in Budapest, this Arsenal squad can rightfully claim the title of the greatest in the club’s history.

This narrative is not merely about a single victorious season but reflects the outcome of a carefully crafted six-year plan.

"Trust the process," Arteta proclaimed in June 2020, a sentiment that has proven prescient with the benefit of hindsight.

Arteta represents an unstoppable force—an influential figure who has shaped the team into one of Europe's most formidable forces.

He and sporting director Andrea Berta will rightly receive accolades for their contributions this season. Nevertheless, the foundation of this success has been laid over several years.

Former sporting director Edu, along with his assembled team—including assistant Jason Ayto and technical director James Ellis, both of whom have left in the past year—have been instrumental in transforming the squad. The contributions of Mark Curtis, head of football intelligence, particularly in recruitment, have also played a significant role in developing a team admired globally.

Of the club's top 15 Premier League players this season, 10 were acquisitions made during Edu's tenure.

Richard Garlick, promoted to chief executive in September, has fully supported the club’s rebuilding efforts since joining from the Premier League in 2021.

Josh Kroenke, co-chairman and vice-president of Arsenal's ownership group, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, is reported to have been exceptionally active at the training facility this season, reportedly more involved in club affairs than ever.

In November, he traveled to London to witness Arsenal's women's team being honored with the Freedom of Islington, engaging with players and supporter groups while emphasizing the community's pivotal role in the club's achievements.

Additionally, he returned after a defeat to Manchester United in January, coinciding with Arteta's compelling call to supporters to "jump on the boat" alongside the team.

The club's academy has also contributed to this success, with several first-team players, including Bukayo Saka, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri, and Max Dowman, all products of the youth system.

Arsenal's season is characterized by its collective effort—though it has not been devoid of challenges.

The Gunners faced missed opportunities that could have eased their title chase and experienced a loss in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City.

While Arteta's management style is often associated with ruthlessness, his decision to field Kepa Arrizabalaga at Wembley evidenced a rare sentimental choice that ultimately cost them a trophy.

However, after suffering another defeat to City in the league, leading to a two-horse race for the title, Arteta and the team appeared to embrace the challenge.

The Gunners' manager began to make decisions more intuitively—a departure from his earlier rigid approach.

A hallmark of Arteta's management has been his innovative methods.

An AI-generated anthem that includes the names of all squad members—Arteta cryptically notes it "came from somewhere"—has resonated strongly with the players, becoming a seasonal favorite.

This song features one of Arteta's mantras: "make it happen."

Having led Arsenal to championship glory, he can confidently assert that they indeed did.

Arteta, intensity and building a legacy

Arteta's goal extends beyond a single achievement; he aims to establish a legacy of sustained triumph. Winning the title once is commendable, but the hallmark of a truly exceptional team lies in their ability to replicate success.

With Arteta's contract concluding at the end of the upcoming season, reaching an agreement for an extension is the immediate priority for all parties involved.

Negotiations are already underway and will intensify following the Champions League final, with mutual intentions to finalize the new contract before the commencement of the next season.

It is anticipated that Arteta will agree to a new deal that significantly increases his current compensation, which stands at a base of £10 million per season, supplemented by an additional £5 million for Champions League qualification.

There have also been internal discussions regarding Berta potentially pursuing an extension for Arteta, particularly in light of rumors about approaches from Saudi Arabian clubs.

Arsenal has evolved into a club shaped by Arteta's vision, as demonstrated by the change in his job title from head coach to manager in September 2020.

As a member of the football leadership team alongside Kroenke, Garlick, James King, and Berta, the manager plays a crucial role in guiding the club’s footballing direction.

Arteta's coaching staff mirror his passionate and intense approach, with analysts actively providing vocal support from the stands.

Last summer, he was joined by Gabriel Heinze, a long-time friend and former teammate, in the role of assistant coach. The Argentine has made a significant impact this season, including the introduction of a motivational huddle for defenders prior to each match.

Arteta is hands-on, adept at identifying when to provide strong feedback and when to adopt a coaching approach.

He has also mastered the art of delegation, allowing his entire backroom team to contribute to training sessions, minimizing monotony for the squad.

Now that Arteta has guided this team to silverware, the focus can shift to the upcoming campaign.

Arsenal is interested in acquiring a midfielder, left winger, and striker but will likely prioritize player departures following last year’s extensive £250 million spending.

The only senior player to leave last summer was Albert Lokonga.

Currently, Arsenal has agreed to sell defender Jakub Kiwior to Porto for an initial fee of £14.7 million, and it appears Christian Norgaard, who arrived in a deal potentially worth £15 million, will also be allowed to depart. The club is expected to entertain offers for Ben White, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, and Fabio Vieira.

Furthermore, considerations are being made for a significant sale of homegrown talent that could provide 'pure profit' for their financial accounts.

Discussions have taken place regarding the potential sale of Nwaneri, who is on loan at Marseille, or Lewis-Skelly, although the latter's recent emergence as a viable central midfield option for Arteta has been noted.

The club is also motivated to maintain a manageable wage structure. This challenge is compounded by the impending contract renewals for defender Jurrien Timber and midfielder Declan Rice, as well as for Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Lewis-Skelly, Saka, and Nwaneri, who all recently re-signed.

With substantial bonuses set to be distributed to players following this season's successes, alongside the expectation that Arteta's salary will approach the £20 million threshold, maintaining control of the club's financial outlays will be a pressing challenge.

There is a growing sentiment within the organization that a squad rebuild is essential, particularly as several key players are approaching their later years.

This summer, Arsenal is notably interested in teenage talent Jeremy Monga from Leicester. With talented youngsters like Dowman, Marli Salmon, Edwin, Holger Quintero, and Lewis-Skelly all in their teens, there is optimism that any necessary rebuild will not significantly impact performance levels.

When the work for the season started

The foundation for this remarkable season was laid in November 2024 during a strategic meeting with Kroenke in the United States, where the board articulated their objectives.

Berta, who played a pivotal role in executing Arsenal's £250 million transfer outlay last summer, was designated as sporting director in March 2025 and presented red ties to members of the executive team, symbolizing his commitment.

Since his arrival, Berta's reputation among Arsenal supporters has surged, particularly following his oversight of a transformative transfer window that propelled the team from near misses to champions.

It is essential to recognize that Berta's appointment became necessary following Edu's departure in November 2024 to join a network of clubs owned by Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis.

One could speculate that had Edu remained, he would still be shaping Arsenal’s future.

Edu's core philosophy emphasized the recruitment of young, ambitious players who would elevate performance while also serving as assets for future trading.

In contrast, Berta's mandate was more straightforward: to secure victories. Under Edu, Arsenal had made significant progress; however, the final hurdle remains the most difficult to overcome.

Berta's substantial influence on shifting the recruitment approach is exemplified by the £64 million acquisition of striker Viktor Gyokeres.

The passionate Italian, much like Arteta, displayed his commitment during a crucial moment in the Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid, where he engaged physically with former colleague Diego Simeone.

In preparation for the previous summer's transfer window, Arsenal prioritized players with high availability, physical resilience, and a low injury history. The strategy also involved a conscious choice to pursue physically commanding players, a tactic that has yielded positive results.

The striker hunt

Having finished second for the third consecutive season, there was a consensus that Arsenal required a recognized goal scorer.

While Benjamin Sesko, who signed with Manchester United, was on their radar, the consensus was that Gyokeres represented the more immediate solution.

Although Sesko was appealing as an investment prospect, the financial demands to complete that transfer—United reportedly paid up to £73.7 million—reflected that of an established player.

Support for Alexander Isak and Julian Alvarez was strong among Arsenal's recruitment team, yet both players were regarded as financially unattainable.

Following Berta's arrival, Arsenal redirected their focus to Gyokeres. Arteta required assurance before committing to the Swede, ultimately granting the green light.

Demonstrating the urgency to finalize the deal and announce it during the team’s tour in Asia, Gyokeres underwent medical assessments while en route to Singapore.

Arteta adjusted his tactical approach to leverage Gyokeres' capacity for breaking through defenses, although the striker initially struggled to adapt, particularly early in the season.

After successfully leading Sweden qualifying for the World Cup during the March international break, Gyokeres appeared revitalized. After netting only five league goals by mid-January, he has since scored 14, totaling 21 in all competitions.

Stories of the season

A significant aspect of Arsenal's title narrative has been their defensive prowess, highlighted by the formidable partnership of Gabriel and Saliba, regarded among the best in global football.

A pivotal moment that foreshadowed the season's trajectory occurred when Arsenal shared their squad photo on social media.

Among the roster that had previously finished second thrice—and included £250 million in new signings—was 15-year-old Max Dowman.

Dowman’s exceptional rise has not gone unnoticed, with numerous agents and scouts describing him as the premier academy talent they have encountered.

Even Arteta, cautious about placing undue pressure on the young player, likened his abilities to those of Argentine great Lionel Messi.

This season, Dowman has shattered records, becoming the youngest player to start for Arsenal, the club's youngest Champions League athlete, and the youngest scorer in Premier League history.

Rice, already a cornerstone of Arsenal's lineup, was compelled to elevate his performance this season due to several key injuries.

He has logged the most minutes of any outfield player this season, exhibiting a preference for playing three matches weekly, a practice that aids in maintaining his rhythm throughout an extended season.

Rice, goalkeeper David Raya, and Gabriel have proven integral this season. However, this title victory has been a collective achievement, culminating from a long-term vision that has finally materialized.

The future path remains uncertain, prompting speculation about what lies ahead.