Arteta forced to miss Arsenal title-clincher TV moment as son’s tears interrupted barbecue
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says he avoided watching the decisive game that clinched the Premier League title, choosing a family barbecue where his crying son told him the news.
Mikel Arteta says he did not watch the game that secured Arsenal the Premier League title, choosing instead to be at a family barbecue — where his crying son told him the club had won the championship. The revelation, recounted by the Arsenal manager, came as he described how he coped with the moment the title was confirmed.
Why it matters
The anecdote humanises a high-pressure occasion for one of world football’s most scrutinised managers and gives fans a glimpse of how Arteta balanced family life with the culmination of a season-long title bid. It also underscores how even major sporting moments can play out away from screens and stadia for those directly involved.
Arteta’s unexpected moment at a barbecue
According to BBC Sport Football, Arteta opted not to watch the decisive fixture and instead spent the time at a barbecue. He said he only discovered Arsenal had secured the Premier League title when his son, in tears, informed him of the outcome. The story highlights a quieter, domestic reaction to a major professional achievement.
What this reveals about Arteta and Arsenal
The anecdote suggests Arteta places value on family moments even during pivotal professional junctures. For Arsenal fans, the story offers a personal angle on the club’s title win and the manager’s response away from public celebration. The report does not provide further match details, post-match celebrations, or quotes beyond the account of how Arteta learned the result.
- Source: BBC Sport Football report on Arteta’s account.
- Arteta did not watch the game that clinched the Premier League title.
- He was at a family barbecue when his crying son told him Arsenal had won.
What it means: This anecdote adds a human touch to Arsenal’s title celebrations and offers a reminder that major sporting milestones can be experienced in private as well as publicly. For readers seeking match details, trophy scenes, or full quotes from Arteta, consult the original BBC Sport Football article for the complete account.