Star Metro - Arteta on BBQ duty as Arsenal clinched Premier League title

Manchester City's 1-1 draw at Bournemouth on Tuesday confirmed the Gunners as English league champions for the first time since 2004.

Arsenal boss Arteta said winning the trophy after six-and-a-half years at the helm was "one of the best feelings that I have ever had".

But the Spaniard, speaking at his first press conference since the title win, admitted he did not see any of the match involving closest challengers City at the Vitality Stadium after leaving his players at the club's training ground to return home.

Pep Guardiola's team had to win to take the race into a final day this weekend but fell short.

"I was supposed to be here at Colney (the training ground), watching the game with the boys and certain staff because that's what they wanted -- but I couldn't," Arteta said on Thursday.

"I think 20 minutes later, before the game, I had to leave. I couldn't bring the energy that I wanted, and ultimately it was their moment as well to watch it together, to be themselves and just see what the outcome would be.

"I went home, I went outside to the garden and I started to build some fire and started to do some barbecue. I didn't watch any of it. I was just hearing some noises in the background, in the living room and suddenly the magic happened.

"My oldest son opened the garden door, he started to run towards me, he started to cry, he gave me a hug and said: 'We are champions, daddy'."

The Spaniard added: "It was magical."

- 'New story' -

Arsenal players returned earlier Thursday for their first training session since their triumph was confirmed.

The Gunners complete their domestic campaign at Crystal Palace on Sunday and face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final in Budapest on May 30, seeking a remarkable double.

"We're going to prepare for that game with the intention to win and write a new story in the club's history," said Arteta.

He said winning the Premier League had lifted a weight off the team's shoulders as Arsenal seek to become European champions for the first time in their storied history.

"I think it's a lot of emotion, joy, happiness, being proud," said the 44-year-old. "And as well, it's a relief.

"Because when you see so many people for so long just waiting for something to happen, and actually you achieve it, it's like everything that we've done, it was worth it. And now we need to sustain that energy, that positivity."

Arteta was asked whether Arsenal could now dominate and stack up more trophies.

"We've done another step there and now we have to show that we have the ambition, the quality and the consistency to do that," he said.

"And that's going to be the next step for us as a football club in every decision that we make to continue with those levels, with those standards and with that ambition for sure."

A.Desjardins--SMC