Mikel Arteta Named Premier League Manager of the Season After Ending Arsenal’s 22-Year Title Drought

Written by Pavel Kateliev

Pavel Kateliev is a popular sport journalist, particularly in the fields of football, basketball, tennis, and hockey. He writes daily for Sportingpedia and his work has been translated into at least 20 languages and featured on renowned outlets such as BBC, Yahoo, MCN, Sun, and Evening News, in Italian, English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

, | Updated: May 27, 2026

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta bites the Premier League trophy

Key Takeaways:

Arsenal secured their first Premier League title in 22 years, finishing seven points clear of Manchester City
Mikel Arteta was named Premier League Manager of the Season, surpassing Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola and Sunderland’s Regis Le Bris in the voting
Arteta lifted the Premier League trophy at Crystal Palace on Sunday after a tenure that began in December 2019

Arteta’s Managerial Recognition

Mikel Arteta has officially been recognised as the Premier League Manager of the Season, in acknowledgment of his impressive leadership throughout Arsenal’s triumphant campaign. The announcement capped off a historic season where Arsenal reclaimed the Premier League crown for the first time in 22 years, outperforming their closest title rivals Manchester City by a margin of seven points.

Competition for the Award

Arteta topped the shortlist for the league’s managerial honour, finishing ahead of Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola and Sunderland’s Regis Le Bris. Both Iraola and Le Bris achieved impressive milestones by guiding their respective clubs to qualification for European competitions this term, but it was Arteta’s achievement in breaking Arsenal’s long title drought that proved decisive.

Guiding Arsenal to their first Premier League title in 22 years 🔝
Mikel Arteta is your @barclaysfooty Manager of the Season 👏 pic.twitter.com/9sWZjCVBZT
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 26, 2026

Revitalising Arsenal: Arteta’s Journey

Since taking charge at Arsenal in December 2019, a period widely considered one of the club’s lowest ebbs, Arteta has systematically rebuilt the squad and re-established Arsenal as a formidable force at the top of English football. Over a span of six-and-a-half years, he steered the club back to glory.

Celebrations and Reflections

Following the league trophy presentation at Crystal Palace on Sunday, Arteta shared his feelings on ending the club’s long wait for a title.

“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.

We showed an incredible connection, an incredible commitment and incredible courage as well. Everything around us was fuel for the desire to go and do it.

There are doubts and the understanding that maybe you are not the right person. But thanks to God that we have done it. I feel a lot of joy and a lot of relief as well.”