A passionate speech about jumping on a boat, a symbolic bonfire at the training ground, and an AI-generated TikTok anthem naming every squad member — these are among the unlikely ingredients behind Arsenal's first Premier League title in 22 years.

The Gunners were crowned champions on Tuesday after Manchester City drew 1-1 at Bournemouth, ending a wait that stretched back to the Invincibles era. Manager Mikel Arteta, whose tenure began under fire and skepticism, can now claim the ultimate domestic prize.

A six-year project reaches its peak

This is not the story of one inspired campaign but the culmination of a methodically constructed six-year rebuild. When Arteta said "trust the process" in June 2020, few could have imagined it would lead here. He has shaped Arsenal in his own image — relentless, intense, and deeply united.

Former sporting director Edu laid much of the groundwork, with 10 of the club's top 15 appearance-makers this season arriving as his signings. New sporting director Andrea Berta and chief executive Richard Garlick have since helped steer the final stages of the project, while co-chairman Josh Kroenke has been a near-constant presence at the training facility this season, his involvement described as higher than at any previous point.

Fire, feeling, and belief

Arteta's methods have rarely been conventional. During a difficult run of form that briefly threatened Arsenal's title challenge, he asked his players to symbolically cast their negative thoughts into a fire lit at the London Colney training ground. He has also made a habit of hosting barbecues for players, staff, and their families — a deliberate effort to forge strong personal bonds within the group.

When results dipped further following a January defeat to Manchester United, Arteta delivered a rousing speech urging supporters to "jump on the boat" with his team. Kroenke flew into London shortly after that loss, underscoring how seriously the club's ownership took the challenge.

An AI-generated song — which Arteta will only say "came from somewhere" — became an unlikely anthem. The track name-checks every squad member and features one of the manager's favourite phrases: "make it happen." The players embraced it, and so did the dressing room culture.

Academy products and backroom innovations

The title has also been built on the contributions of homegrown talent. Bukayo Saka, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri, and Max Dowman all graduated from Arsenal's academy and all featured prominently this season.

Arteta was joined last summer by former team-mate Gabriel Heinze as assistant coach. The Argentine has introduced a pre-match motivational huddle for defenders that has become a fixture of the team's preparation. The coaching staff — described as uniformly passionate and intense — take turns delivering training sessions to avoid the squad growing weary of a single voice.

What comes next

With the title secured, Arsenal now target Champions League glory, facing Paris Saint-Germain on 30 May in Budapest. Victory there would make this squad the greatest in the club's history.

Arteta's contract expires at the end of next season, but all parties are expected to agree an extension before the next campaign begins. His salary is anticipated to rise toward £20 million, up from a current package of £10 million basic plus £5 million for Champions League qualification.

On the recruitment front, Arsenal have already agreed to sell defender Jakub Kiwior to Porto for an initial £14.7 million, and Christian Norgaard — who arrived for up to £15 million — is expected to be allowed to leave. The club are also open to offers for Ben White, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, and Fabio Vieira, while internal discussions have touched on a significant homegrown sale involving either Nwaneri or Lewis-Skelly to generate pure profit. The club are also keen to bring in a midfielder, a left-winger, and a striker, but with Jurrien Timber, Declan Rice, and others due new contracts, managing the wage bill will demand careful planning.

Arsenal are champions again. The process, as Arteta always insisted, has been trusted — and it has delivered.