OFFICIAL: Arteta overtakes Pep Guardiola, Premier League sets a new record

Manager Arteta received official recognition for guiding Arsenal to their first Premier League championship in 22 years, cementing his status as a new symbol of the club.

Mikel Arteta has been officially recognized by the Premier League with the "Best Manager for the 2025/26 season" award for bringing Arsenal back to the English throne for the first time in 22 years. This is not only a reward for the Gunners' stellar season but also acknowledgment of the Spanish tactician's remarkable transformation at the Emirates.

Few expected that the man once heavily doubted for his ability a few years ago would now become Arsenal's new symbol. From a team that often lost momentum in crucial moments, the North London side under Arteta has turned into a winning machine that is among the most feared in Europe.

The 2025/26 season saw the Gunners' near-total dominance in the Premier League. Arsenal earned 27 victories in 38 matchdays, while boasting the league's best defense by conceding just 27 goals. Moreover, the Emirates side kept clean sheets in half of their games, a statistic that highlights the astonishing completeness of the squad led by the Spanish manager.

No longer an inexperienced or fragile group like in previous seasons, Arsenal now plays with the poise of a true champion. Since taking the top spot in October, the Emirates side barely gave their pursuing rivals any chance to overturn the situation. Their stability, resilience, and consistency throughout the campaign helped the Gunners end their long spell living in the shadow of Manchester City or Liverpool.

Significantly, Arsenal's success this season was not limited to domestic competition. The North London club also reached the UEFA Champions League final for the first time in exactly two decades, marking a historic milestone in the club's modern era. Competing strongly in both the Premier League and the Champions League proves that Arsenal has returned to the status of a true European powerhouse.

The "Best Manager of the Season" award also earned Arteta a place in Arsenal's history as the next manager to receive this honor since Arsene Wenger's "Invincibles" season of 2003/04. This milestone carries special significance, as the former French boss was once regarded as the greatest symbol of the Gunners in the Premier League era.

Now, Mikel Arteta is no longer simply referred to as "Pep Guardiola's pupil." The 44-year-old manager is steadily building his own empire at the Emirates and opening a new, ambitious chapter for Arsenal. After more than two decades of waiting, the Gunners' fans can finally dream of a new era of dominance under Mikel Arteta.