KUCHING: Mikel Arteta has been named the Barclays Premier League Manager of the Season today for the first time after guiding Arsenal F.C. to their long-awaited 2025/26 league title.
The triumph marked a historic breakthrough for the Gunners, ending a 22-year wait for the Premier League crown since Arsene Wenger’s famous “Invincibles” season in 2003/04.
Arteta also became the first Arsenal manager since Wenger to win the award, with the legendary Frenchman previously claiming the honour during each of his three title-winning campaigns.
After finishing runners-up in three consecutive seasons, Arsenal finally broke through this year, beating Manchester City F.C. to the title in the penultimate matchweek.
The Gunners built their success on defensive solidity and tactical discipline, keeping 19 clean sheets while conceding just 27 goals – both league-best records this season.
At the other end, Arsenal scored 71 goals, the second-highest tally in the league behind Manchester City’s 77.
For Arteta, the achievement carried added significance as he became the first manager to win the Premier League with a club he previously represented as a player, having played for Arsenal from 2011 to 2016.
At 44 years and 54 days old, the Spaniard is also the third-youngest manager to win the Premier League title. Only José Mourinho achieved the feat at a younger age during his title-winning years with Chelsea.
Arteta secured the award following a combined vote involving supporters and a panel of football experts, edging out fellow nominees Keith Andrews, Michael Carrick, Pep Guardiola, Andoni Iraola and Regis Le Bris.
