OPINION: Torturous and nerve shredding. Arteta and Arsenal have made it worth every second

I longed for the title race to conclude on Tuesday night. I do not believe I could tolerate it extending until the final match.

Following consecutive 1 0 victories over West Ham and Burnley my nerves lay in tatters. The success at the London Stadium ranked among the most agonising experiences I have endured while watching sport.

So to begin I wish to express gratitude to Bournemouth and Andoni Iraola. I hope they secure Champions League qualification. Together with Everton and David Moyes they hold a permanent special place in my affections.

I recall developing an interest in football at nine years of age after falling for the game during Euro 2008. Once the domestic campaign started I found Arsenal appealing for several reasons.

They represent a London club situated roughly forty five minutes from my home. Advice suggested that a local bond with one chosen team enhances the experience.

Moreover Cesc Fabregas featured for them. He captured my attention greatly during Spain success at the Euros even if deployed chiefly from the bench. He became my preferred player at once.

Furthermore red ranks as my top colour.

Matters settled there. Arsenal entered my daily existence.

My initial visit to the Emirates Stadium occurred in October 2009 when I observed Arsenal overcome Liverpool 2 1 in the Carling Cup. Fran Merida a player some may recall struck a memorable goal directly before me.

The next fixture I attended fell on January 31st 2010 the day after my birthday. I watched Manchester United overpower us 3 1 thanks to superb displays from Nani Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Happy birthday to me.

Thus supporting Arsenal has proven challenging across the past twenty two years. In the later stages of Arsene Wenger tenure we became something of a target for mockery.

We fielded sides that produced attractive football possessed talented exciting individuals yet missed resilience and suffered frequent defeats.

8 2 defeat to Manchester United. 5 1 defeat to Liverpool. 6 0 defeat to Chelsea in Wenger 1 000th fixture. 10 2 aggregate defeat to Bayern Munich. Such scorelines grew commonplace.

Leading players departed for competing sides. Robin van Persie moved to Manchester United. Manchester City acquired Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy. Fabregas returned to Barcelona. They no longer viewed Arsenal as serious challengers.

I believe Arsenal popularised the phrase Banter Era.

Supporters felt detached from the club. The finest manager in Arsenal history faced constant criticism. The atmosphere turned unpleasant. It represented a genuine nadir.

Others enjoyed the situation thoroughly. We occupied the exact position they desired.

Nevertheless we secured some silverware. Our 3 2 triumph against Hull City in the FA Cup final brought me the greatest joy I had known as an Arsenal supporter and we claimed two further FA Cups under Wenger. It was his speciality.

Yet eventually the French legend departed and a fresh chapter began for Arsenal. I truly desired Mikel Arteta to assume control immediately after him. I cannot fully explain the reason. I remember the thrill when he joined as a player in 2011 since I admired him considerably so that may explain it.

He also enjoyed high esteem as a coach and I held little enthusiasm for Unai Emery.

Emery received the appointment after all and we concluded his debut season with a painful loss in the Europa League final to Chelsea after which the Spaniard was dismissed yet more disappointment.

Thus Pep Guardiola former assistant Arteta arrived in due course. Excitement filled me. Within months we claimed another FA Cup overcoming Manchester City and Chelsea en route to the trophy.

However the ensuing two years brought complications. Arteta in his first managerial role acquired experience on the job and aimed to overhaul the negative culture while removing several prominent names such as Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil who earned high salaries and mismatched the values he sought to establish.

Two eighth place finishes across his opening year and a half proved difficult and I would be untruthful to claim my belief never faltered. I never sought his removal yet wondered whether he might lack the required qualities.

Nevertheless credit belongs to Arsenal for retaining him through difficult periods. Numerous other clubs would have dismissed him.

Improvement became evident. He integrated young talents such as Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe as central figures and working with Sporting Director Edu he improved transfer activity. We achieved fifth position in his third campaign.

In 2022 23 Arteta side displayed the finest football I have witnessed from Arsenal. After signing Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko from Man City Arsenal mounted a genuine title challenge.

Superb fluent play outclassing opponents we appeared set to claim the league. Yet internally I remained uncertain.

Ultimately at the decisive stage Arsenal faded as Manchester City powerful squad closed the gap and defeated us 4 1 at the Etihad to effectively decide the outcome. We lacked readiness to secure the title and physical robustness.

William Saliba injury also proved decisive as Rob Holding entered the side highlighting our limited options.

The next summer Arteta added David Raya Kai Havertz Jurrien Timber and notably Declan Rice for 105 million pounds.

Raya assumed the goalkeeper role from Aaron Ramsdale who enjoyed strong popularity among supporters at the time. I considered it a wise decision and it has proven inspired.

He has now claimed the Golden Glove award across three successive seasons stands as the finest goalkeeper I have seen at Arsenal and established himself among the elite globally.

Timber has proven reliable at right back and what more needs saying regarding Rice. He has become our very own Roy Keane. A Steven Gerrard type presence. A dominant figure capable of controlling midfield alone. He represents a transformative acquisition for the club.

Havertz divides supporter opinion and although I have not always rated him highly he has delivered crucial goals and contributions while suiting Arteta tactical approach.

The latter half of that season showcased the strongest Arsenal team I have observed. We played with greater attacking intent and excitement in the previous campaign yet this version was a cohesive robust and potent unit. It resembled a competitive side prepared for success.

We secured 16 victories from our final 18 fixtures with one defeat to Aston Villa during that spell proving costly as we ended second two points behind City.

The following campaign proved very underwhelming. A modest window involving Riccardo Calafiori Mikel Merino and Raheem Sterling left us wanting despite the first two proving useful additions.

We seldom challenged as Liverpool claimed the title comfortably though a Champions League semi final run including the quarter final win over Real Madrid stood out. Rice free kicks and displays across both ties will remain memorable.

Thus we reach this season. Edu departed Arsenal unexpectedly and former Atletico Madrid Sporting Director Andrea Berta replaced him.

It marked a significant summer as the club invested substantially in Martin Zubimendi Viktor Gyokeres Ebercehi Eze Noni Madueke Christian Norgaard Cristhian Mosquera Piero Hincapie and Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Arteta has shaped his side into a physical force built upon defensive strength remarkable resolve historically strong set piece ability and control of territory. He sought to build a team able to endure the demands of a lengthy campaign across multiple fronts and dispel the bottling label long associated with the club.

Never have I witnessed a manager face such pressure as Arteta to secure the title. Only one other side endured three consecutive second place finishes namely Arsenal from 1998 to 2001. They claimed the league in 2002.

The examination he endured was intense. Perhaps deservedly so. He had spent six years without winning a Premier League or Champions League.

Yet parts of it appeared overblown. Arteta provokes strong reactions because he is a distinctive personality. He operates uniquely with tales of motivational techniques such as pick pocketing or lighting bonfires that irritate others without clear cause.

Arsenal dominated the first portion of the season surging ahead in the table while involved in four competitions with most expecting us to lift the title.

Naturally some downplayed our achievements. Certain voices suggested an asterisk beside our name owing to our robust physical style and because we do not always entertain aesthetically.

Others labelled us cheats due to our set piece strength. Arsenal had become a side so disliked that many hoped for City to retain the title once more.

They disliked Arsenal newfound seriousness. Much greater entertainment arose previously when we suffered heavy defeats to major sides and posed no threat.

Ain t no fun when the rabbit got the gun.

The second half of the season turned into a genuine struggle. Tension mounted and player energy waned.

It grew still tougher as Arsenal sought to edge across the line rather than surge forward.

Defeats to Manchester United and Manchester City plus a draw after leading by two goals against Wolves at the foot of the table left Arsenal supporters deeply concerned. Panic set in. Would it slip away once more. Surely not.

Yet Arsenal regrouped. They adopted a defensive stance. Since the loss to City Arsenal have kept a clean sheet in three of four matches winning each 1 0. The sole goal conceded in six games across all competitions arrived via an Atletico penalty.

And that concludes the tale.

After Bournemouth held City to a 1 1 draw we were crowned champions. It has been agonising. It has been torturous. Some of these 1 0 wins have aged me markedly. I have never experienced a season like this one.

Yet ultimately it has proven worthwhile.

London turned red as supporters celebrated into the night. The players remained out late at London Colney. The scenes still feel unreal.

Arteta has unified the fan base. The Emirates has rallied behind him. I attended the fixture last season when Arsenal defeated City 5 1. The atmosphere proved staggering.

Similar scenes unfolded when Arsenal hosted Atletico in the Champions League semi final second leg. It felt extraordinary. From a club that had lost direction from a situation where supporters no longer recognised their team Arteta has restored belief.

His vision has materialised. He may possess shortcomings. He may appear cautious at times and operate within narrow margins. Perhaps he has not always recruited effectively in forward positions.

Yet he now stands as a legend at the club. A fine coach and manager who has assumed control and shaped Arsenal in his likeness. He has demonstrated resilience and fortitude and that is what his team has become.

He has discovered a solution at last.

Gabriel and Saliba have developed into one of the premier centre back pairings in Premier League history while Raya and Rice will be remembered as greats. This forms the core of Arsenal success. Defensive structure and unyielding determination.

Yet special recognition must go to Saka.

Players have arrived and departed. Managers have arrived and departed. Yet since 2018 Saka has remained a constant presence.

From left back to wing back to one of the finest wingers worldwide. He has witnessed difficult times and overcome personal challenges. He has sacrificed his body and battled injuries for the club he holds dear.

He has not enjoyed his finest campaign yet this football club owes him much. He now possesses the Premier League title he truly merits.

This ranks as one of the finest and most unforgettable experiences of my life and I will forever recall how I felt across these ten months. This season will remain etched in my memory.

I feel immense pride in this team and our achievements. We carry no 115 charges. We have not been found guilty of hidden payments that brought transfer restrictions and penalties.

We achieved it correctly. In the proper manner and the task continues.

Onto Budapest.