Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe! Arsenal F.C. manager Mikel Arteta has explained why he was absent when Arsenal players and staff gathered to watch Manchester City F.C.’s Premier League clash against AFC Bournemouth on Tuesday night. Manchester City’s 1-1 draw at the Vitality Stadium officially confirmed Arsenal as Premier League champions, sparking celebrations among the Gunners squad at the Sobha Realty training centre. Video clips of Arsenal players celebrating quickly surfaced online, but Arteta was notably absent from the gathering. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, the Arsenal boss said he had to leave shortly before the game because he felt unable to bring the right energy to the occasion. “It’s incredible to hear them, especially understanding the journey and manner in which we’ve done it, how many people have been involved and how long it took to accomplish that goal,” Arteta said. “It’s one of the best feelings I ever had. I was supposed to be here with the players and certain staff, because that’s what they wanted. But I couldn’t. Twenty minutes before the game, I had to leave. I couldn’t bring the energy that I wanted.” According to the Spaniard, he decided to spend the evening quietly at home with his family instead of watching the match unfold. “It was their moment to be together, watch it themselves and just see what the outcome would be,” he explained. “I went home, went outside to the garden, started to build some fire and started to do some barbecue. I didn’t watch any of it. I was just hearing noises in the background and the living room, then the magic happened.” Arteta said the emotional moment was made even more special by his family’s reaction after Arsenal’s title triumph was confirmed. “My oldest son opened the garden door, ran towards me, started to cry, gave me a hug and said, ‘We’re champions, Daddy.’ My other two boys and my wife came over and it was beautiful to see the joy on them. They are always with me,” he said. “It was magical.” The Arsenal manager added that shortly after the celebrations began, club captain Martin Ødegaard contacted him by video call asking where he was. “A minute later, Martin Odegaard was with the video: ‘Where are you? Come over.’ “I said: ‘Enjoy it. See you in a few hours, somewhere in London.’”