Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has reflected on the defining moment that convinced him his team would secure their first Premier League title in 22 years. The pivotal event occurred during Arsenal’s dramatic 2-1 victory over West Ham United at the London Stadium last May.
Leandro Trossard gave Arsenal the lead in the 83rd minute, but West Ham’s Callum Wilson appeared to equalize in stoppage time. Initially, on-field referee Chris Kavanagh and his officials awarded Wilson’s goal, which threatened to alter the outcome of the title race and the relegation battle. However, after an extended review, Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Darren England overturned the decision, disallowing the goal for a foul on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya by West Ham’s Pablo Felipe. Former Manchester United player and pundit Gary Neville described the intervention as potentially “the biggest moment in VAR history.” Arteta praised the officials for their courage in correcting what he called an “obvious error.”
Speaking about that day months later, Arteta said he was certain Arsenal would be champions after returning home from the match. “This is football elevated to its best version, when a journey, a moment that can change so many people’s lives, goes one way or the other,” he said. “You just pray because you know if it goes the wrong side, probably it’s gone again. That day when I went home, I said, ‘We’re going to be champions. It is our year. This has happened for a reason, and we’re going to get it done.’”
The manager described the title celebrations as more than just lifting a trophy, calling them “a moment that we’re going to remember for the rest of our lives.” He added that such moments reveal the team’s capacity to affect and inspire others.
However, Arsenal’s joy was tempered when they suffered a penalty shootout defeat to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the Champions League final one week after clinching the Premier League crown. The match, held in Budapest, ended in heartbreak as Arsenal remained unbeaten during regular and extra time across all 15 Champions League fixtures but ultimately lost on penalties after Gabriel missed the decisive spot-kick.
Arteta acknowledged the lingering impact of the loss, saying, “I still have the scar, like Arsene [Wenger] says. I still have that poison in my veins.” He emphasized that the defeat must fuel the team's growth and determination moving forward, serving as a powerful motivator for both himself and his players.