Mikel Arteta has elevated his status among Arsenal’s legendary managers by clinching the Premier League title for the 2025/26 season. His achievement marks him as the first former player of the club to lead Arsenal to a top-flight championship as a manager. This victory concludes a 22-year wait for the significant trophy after taking over the team in December 2019.
Arteta’s Coaching Journey
Since his appointment, Arteta’s journey has seen consistent improvements. He has never finished lower than the position achieved in the previous season during his six-and-a-half-year tenure. Starting with an eighth-place finish, he lifted the FA Cup that same year. In 2020/21, he maintained the eighth position, followed by a fifth-place finish in 2021/22. The following three seasons brought near-championship finishes, culminating in 2025 with the Premier League title.
Arsenal’s Top Managers
Arteta joins a prestigious list of Arsenal managers who have achieved league glory:
- Herbert Chapman – 2 titles (1930/31, 1932/33)
- Joe Shaw – 1 title (1933/34)
- George Allison – 2 titles (1934/35, 1937/38)
- Tom Whittaker – 2 titles (1947/48, 1952/53)
- Bertie Mee – 1 title (1970/71)
- George Graham – 2 titles (1988/89, 1990/91)
- Arsene Wenger – 3 titles (1997/98, 2001/02, 2003/04)
- Mikel Arteta – 1 title (2025/26)
Arteta’s Record-Setting Age
At 44 years and 54 days, Arteta is the youngest manager in Arsenal’s history to win a league championship. He narrowly surpasses George Graham, who was 124 days older during his title win in the 1988/89 season. Among Premier League managers, only José Mourinho achieved this honor at a younger age.
Notable Statistics
Arteta’s statistics showcase his success:
| Manager | Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mikel Arteta | 351 | 212 | 66 | 73 | 60.4% |
| Arsene Wenger | 1235 | 707 | 280 | 248 | 57.2% |
| Unai Emery | 78 | 43 | 16 | 19 | 55.1% |
| Herbert Chapman | 403 | 201 | 97 | 105 | 49.9% |
Arteta’s impressive win ratio places him above renowned figures like Wenger, Graham, and Chapman. He has achieved a remarkable 25 wins this season, leading Arsenal to the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.
With this title, Arteta not only fulfills a long-standing dream for the club but also sets the stage for potential European triumph. He looks to be on the brink of making history as the first Arsenal manager to claim the Champions League title.
