Why Mikel Arteta did not attend Arsenal title party as players celebrate through the night

Mikel Arteta was nowhere to be seen as Arsenal players and staff got their Premier League title celebrations underway last night.

The Gunners were officially crowned champions following Manchester City’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth with Pep Guardiola’s side needing a win to push the title race into the final weekend of the season.

It sparked jubilant celebrations in north London as Arsenal fans spilled out into the streets and made their way to the Emirates for a party they have waited 22 years for with club legend Ian Wright in amongst the thick of it.

Arsenal players had gathered at their training base at London Colney, wildly celebrating as the final whistle was blown at the Vitality Stadium.

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Members of the squad took the party on the road with Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber spotted at the Emirates at 5am this morning.

Rice stopped to take pictures with fans, joining in with chants as the celebrations continued.

Arteta, the man responsible for ending the club’s long wait for a title, was not spotted during the night, however.

Linked up with Saka, Timber, Eze and Rice outside the Emirates, at 5am
by u/Scarlett7653 in Gunners

While members of his staff were with the players at the training ground, Arteta revealed earlier this week he would be watching last night’s game from home with his family.

‘I don’t know how long I’m going to watch it,’ Arteta said.

‘I will be there in front of the TV. But I don’t know how much I’m going to be able to watch, I think that’s the reality.’

Asked if he would be tempted to join his players and staff, he said: ‘I haven’t planned to do that. “I’m planning to watch it with my family and again I don’t know for how long.’

Arsenal will get their hands on the trophy on Sunday when they take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park – now a pressure-free trip across the capital.

They still have the chance to win more silverware with the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain now looming large on 30 May in Budapest.