Spurs survive, West Ham go down & Arsenal get their hands on the trophy

24:16Hopefully now they give this guy the opportunity to build a team. But right, he said, you've got to pay the wages, you've got to pay up, you've got to look big. Too many players want to end up leaving that club unless you're wanting to come to the club. We can focus on what's happened at Spurs for a moment longer, survival. Here's Roberto De Zerbe now with Pien Mullins team. Roberto, you had seven games to keep the club in the Premier League. You've done just that. just sum up what's going through your mind at the moment? Badek, we're working well, but I'm lucky because I have a lot of big players and big guys and you can see the game today and you can understand with big, big pressure they played a fantastic game with the ball, because not just to fight, but to play with the ball and maybe they played the best game in my time.

25:15And if they played the best game in my time, you can imagine how is bigger the personality, the value of my players. We know just how much was at stake today, the pressure of the game. How proud are you of the way that your players handled the occasion? Yeah, incredible game. Incredible game. but they deserve everything the football gave today. Football is nice because if you give your best at the end, maybe today, maybe tomorrow, after tomorrow, next month, next season, but the football gave you back everything you have done. There were so many shots, especially in that first half. I think the most actually in the Premier League season for Spurs.

26:09When that Jaume Paulinho goal went over the line, we could see just how much it meant to you. But what were you feeling in that moment? Sicily, I enjoyed from the beginning of the game and I suffered a lot. But my life is so nice because there is the pressure in football. without the pressure should be not like nice.

26:52Hello, I'm Simon Lazenby. Join me and a host of top guests on the F1 show after every round of the 2026 Formula One World Championship. we'll analyze and debate every twist and turn of what's sure to be a memorable season new regs new rules but same show listen to our podcast on apple spotify or wherever you get

27:15Ian Wright:your podcasts or watch us on the sky sports f1 youtube channel that's the f1 show from sky sports

27:28this is the sky sports premier league podcast let's get more analysis of the game and return to the student this is going to be a very special moment for anyone connected with

27:39Ian Wright:absolutely i see they're all they're all jumping on now look everybody seen them jumping up you've been on this for a long time it's a magnificent time for all Arsenal fans even the Arsenal fans that can't be all over the world they've been through it the Arsenal fans have been dragged and they've stuck by the club and the club's stuck by the manager you know what I mean the manager's got the right team around him and he's finally got a good squad and they've finally done it it's magnificent I remember with you this is when it really sinks in isn't it when you actually get to lift it yeah it does and you know like when Mikel came down you can still see he's still kind of in a daze.

28:19Ian Wright:He doesn't know what's happening. I think that once they have it, in fact, once the season's over and they sit down, they will realise, my gosh, we've done it. This is all going to be a blur simply because of the game that they've got next week. But honestly, this is something that once it sinks in, it really does feel special for everyone. And this is giving you an idea, by the way, of the size of the Arsenal backroom team who are all here present at Selhurst Park, waiting to share this moment with the team who won the title for the first time in 22 years. We will leave the greenhouse studio now and head downstairs.

28:54He's got to get some shorts. Because we want to be down on the pitch, ready to speak to the manager and the players after they've got their hands on the trophy. So for now, we'll hand you across to Alan Smith, who's been there, done it and won it with Arsenal, alongside Peter Drury. Dave, thank you. So, Arsenal in their 100th successive top-flight season in perfect style. As you say, the backroom staff are first out. Gabriel Aynce, they're a Premier League champion with Manchester United, a friend of Arteta's. Since they met at PSG, their next week's problem. And all the course of his other lieutenants, Albert Steubenberg, Nicolas Chauvet, the brains behind all those set-pieces.

29:32He has certainly earned his corn. This is the goalkeeping coach, Iñaki Kanna. David Raya's tutor and friend and Miguel Molina and all the other coaches and masters and physios and nutritionists and analysts Will and DJ and the kit team there are plenty of them Alan that make up a successful unit yeah it used to be the physio and the kit man two of them but yeah they all, they work incredibly hard don't they, the backroom staff they work long hours with little kind of congratulations from the outside world. Nobody briefly knows these people, but certainly the players will appreciate them. And the Premier League trophy is being brought to its podium by Stan Cronkite and Josh Cronkite, father and son, co-chairs of Arsenal.

30:29And these guys are just winners. everything they touch turns to the gold you see on the top of that famous trophy Super Bowls and Stanley Cups

30:45Josh has been co-chair of Arsenal alongside his father since 2013 it's not always been a bet of roses but it sure is now and you have to say that he's backed the football club financially Stanley Cronkip he's put his money where his mouth is when there were calls for Mikel Arteta to go he believed in him and they've had the finances to construct and really find squad here

31:19it's been a very special unity about Arsenal over the last 4, 5, 6 Arteta years and those gentlemen have been right at the top of the tree overseeing it all this becomes their immense privilege and behind them the presentation party which is comprised of alice and britain cbe chair of the premier league since january 2023 and emmanuel mecher who is a very special young man for more than 10 years now a massive contributor to arsenal's North London United Football sessions but there's the star of the show trophy for which the establishment club has hungered and here is the man who has brought the bit they've got super Mick Arteta he has known exactly what they need the eighth different man to lead Arsenal to the title the first manager ever to win a premier league with the club for which he played

32:31the work not of one year but of six years and more through self-doubt and sometimes ridicule he arrived into unrest and uncertainty on the cusp of covid and piece by piece he has built to this moment remarkably driven unshakable yeah no matter who you speak to talks what a brilliant coach michael arteta is and the ability to improve players he's admitted himself he's had to adjust at times this season to get the very best out of his players to get the job done

33:07but of course the coach is only ever as good as his players and here are some very good players and Mikel Arteta is first onto the podium

33:23behind him Marley Salmon who was on the bench today a young and very promising right full-back

33:32Tom Setford the goalkeeper but this is the goalkeeper David Raya three consecutive golden clubs now a gold medal to go with them that's a for matches Fernandez at West Ham Piero and capier borrowed from the Bundesliga they will want him to stay Arsenal's player of the month for February and April

34:00Gabriel and Saliba, what a pair they have played just about every minute he hasn't missed much this season but he missed his medal there Gabriel Well, what a campaign he's had. Kefa got involved today. And made a bigger save. Christian Mascara, born in the summer of 2004, a month after Arsenal were last crowned. Ricardo Calafiore, the man who got it all started with that header from inches out on the opening day at Old Trafford. That's what he came for.

34:39very white white white Sheavers finished early for him another stop start season but of the nine league games he started Arsenal kept six clean sheets

34:52Charles Lewis-Skelly amazingly as the season reached his climax he reappeared and to extraordinary effect you thought he was on his way at the end of the campaign Didn't you because there were about three left backs ahead of him, but what he gave in midfield you hope he stays

35:18To Norgaard a selfless goal of the squad

35:25And this year to save them from tears they gave it to supermending remember the sumptuous folly that set him on his way against Forrest in September the youngest Premier League champion there has ever been Max Dowman, GCSEs this week and now this and Everton are still running after him perhaps his was the moment of the season

35:50Vans Loughley's fella, Leo Krossa he steps to the fore when they need him he's had a terrific campaign The winner at West Ham when things were getting twitchy. He steps up when things are a bit clutch. Victor Jokeres, 21-goal debut season, twice a Portuguese champion and now an English champion. Behind the mask, a bristling, muscular centre-forward for the Gunners.

36:24and ultimately it was Kai Havertz with the monstrous leap against Burnley last Monday which was the moment that won it

36:37Gabriel Martinelli just won Premier League goal but possibly the most important of them all how different things might have been had he not come off the bench to Lopped on a runner in stoppage time 35 weeks ago. Gabi Chazas now a five-time Premier League champion. His first one in these colours. His season only began at Christmas. It ended with a gold and a medal.

37:12Unveiled in jeans and a smile. Everett she has he won them over at once and then scored five against Tottenham thereafter he is more or less immortal

37:35they got him half tries Declan Rice a thousand immaculate in swinging corners those goals at Bournemouth the leader by example the model pro is a champion the loudest cheer so far they've recognised what he's given, given week in week out a 9 out of 10 week in week out and it is done Bukai Osaka in himself a reason to love the game humble, brilliant, a beaming point of difference and still just 24 so much more ahead of him that smile

38:24for yuri and timber that he should miss the running has been cruel that he might make budapest is potentially critical his class at full back and his winner against chelsea will not be forgotten

38:42Michael Moreno back at the end but he has contributed plenty before today not least the headers to equalize at Newcastle against Chelsea

39:00for the Premier League a third different champion in three seasons title-winning Arsenal captains a line of succession that led to McClintock Adams Vieira and now Merton Ardegaard second second second and now first more than two decades since the last time for the 14th time in their history for the fourth time in the Premier League era we got a lot of leaders in this team Martin Ardegaard certainly leads by

39:41example heavy old trophy

39:50he has hold of it

39:59In 2026, the champions are the Arsenal.

40:18Again, at last!

40:27Again!

40:37and to come again next week perhaps glory again perhaps groundbreaking arsenal history on a european stage but right now right now for this generation of gunners this is their sweetest day congratulations to arsenal good luck in budapest arsenal the champions

41:04Ian Wright:Peter thank you very much Ian Wright what a moment you used every second of that that was amazing I filmed it all man I just told everyone honestly this is so special honestly with what we've been through the last three seasons four seasons I've got to say now just to see some of those guys go up you know the kind of the personal kind of content I've got with some of these guys just seeing them and how emotional they are this is so I'm so happy for them so whole of our school three times they are knocking on the door yeah different about this team I think that we built a bit the squad the squad is better whatever people say about non-imagine we needed someone like him to come in and give the Kyle Sacco the kind of rest that is needed whatever they feel about our world not he's played or how well he hasn't played the fact is he's given us the capability of resting someone like Saka but I guess you'd say there's a bit of Madhu we came pretty much every position in this team this season The people that's come in and they've done well.

41:58Ian Wright:And that's what we needed. In the back, Miles Lewis Skelly coming in with cameos. Max Dallman off the bench. Honestly, something like Miles Lewis Skelly, you know, the trajectory he's been on and then all of a sudden he's out of it. But then Mikel, he had him training for four months as a midfielder. Everybody's saying, what's happening? Why isn't he playing him? Why isn't he playing him? He was saving him for when he needed him. And he came in and done the business. Was this a squad victory maker? Yes, I think it was. I think for all the players and the manager as well. the back back back rooms tough as well there was excellent but in terms of arsenal why i think it's so good for them is because they've been up against the great pep and yes pep over the last two seasons has not been at the level but arteta that man who just i mean he wanted it so much and now he's got his moment that's brilliant we've seen one version of nikana teta pretty much over the last four years.

42:56Very serious, Jamie. Very intense. Isn't it great to see him now with the trophy in his hands? Absolutely. He's had to suffer. He really has. There's been question marks every single season. Is he the man to take this Arsenal team to a title? Absolutely. Yes, he is. Because he stood there with that trophy in his hand, put so much effort into it, and he is now a winner. He spoke this week about his family and everything they've had to sacrifice sacrifice and the moments and the heartache and now it all feels worthwhile and now I'm so pleased for him and all the players and the backroom staff and they deserve this moment over the last few years the points have accumulated has been absolutely fantastic did you ever doubt the

43:35Ian Wright:manager Ian never doubted him I remember when he came in never doubted him I remember saying on match of the day he's the person to come in and get these guys going because I know that the the owners they've got to get credit as well the owners are going to have faith in him they have faith in all the managers that have got in their franchises and all of their franchises have been successful because they've got young managers, they've got young managers they back and they've backed him and he's gone through it and he's come through it and now we're champions I have to be honest I wasn't always sure, I remember they lost a game at Brentford on a Friday night and there was so much pressure absolutely and I remember thinking okay they've got to hold their nerve here and I think the Crunkies deserve an enormous amount of credit for that as well because it's been through So right and it has been a great acquisition.

44:21You know, they got the right man. They were surprised respect him He's obviously not a lot from Pat and the emotion he'll feel right now the joy and they've still got another cup to look forward to This is just this is just a starter right absolutely fingers crossed Absolutely, but then you look at as a as an example of the quality of players. They were able to bring in last summer Yeah, that was evidence of a club backing a manager.

44:43Ian Wright:Well, yeah, it is and you know, we we got so close and I don't know what more Mikel could have done. They've given him everything that he's needed to do. All it was about was him getting the right players and playing them at the right times and just giving them the freedom to go and play. They're singing your song here. This is our song.

45:25ARE YOU ROY YES!

45:38yesenes

45:45o ye

45:50The Sky Sports app is the place to get the biggest and latest sports news stories, live blogs, updates on goals as they go in, and all the video highlights of the Premier League, and much more. It's free to download from your app store, and you don't need to be a Sky customer to use it. Now, let's get more reaction to today's game on the Sky Sports Premier League podcast.

46:19What a party here for Arsenal. Tuesday wasn't bad by all accounts and it's got going again here on Sunday evening at Selhurst Park. Arsenal have beaten Crystal Palace and got their hands on the trophy and who would have thought we'd see this?

46:38Mikel Antetar getting the affection from the Arsenal players and are delighted to say the Arsenal skipper, Martin Erdegaard, has broken away from the celebrations to join us live now how did it feel getting your hands on the trophy honestly i can't describe it it looks emotional yeah no it was so special uh a lot of emotions and a lot of hard work behind there and yeah so emotional but beautiful beautiful day and yeah amazing achievement honestly you must have thought after three runners-up times maybe this is never going to happen well i mean you always have the doubt and the fear you know that you're not going to make it but we had that belief in ourselves and even in the toughest situations uh toughest moments this season I think we really really stick together and probably even more in those um those situations you know so we had that belief and we know what we can and uh yeah we just kept on fighting and uh we got there in the end so even better like that but the concern must have been there with Manchester City breathing down your neck and particularly after you'd lost there yeah no of course um i think the mindset even after that game i felt like we were so strong mentally you know after that game we said to each other we're still going to do it uh it's not over you know and uh i think the belief was even stronger after that game and i think we've showed that the last few games on the pitch and just so proud of everyone you know

47:58Ian Wright:to get over the line is there any times where you think where you think because you've done it three times you've tried to do it now martin is any time during this season because i would i myself was really you don't doubt but after Southampton you know after those kind of games after the Bournemouth game is it what was it like in the dressing room after that game I think there was moments in the season when we felt really down and really angry really frustrated you say the Bournemouth game you know the Wolves game there was some really really tough moments for us and I think the key was how we reacted I think after those games we spoke as a team everyone spoke up you know we said what we felt everyone was speaking you know it was really honest conversation and I think the way we reacted to every setback this season has been absolutely amazing so so proud of everyone to for the way we we did it as well.

48:47Ian Wright:How do you react when people say you're gonna bottle it does that give you more motivation or because social media is massive now do you look at it and how do you react to that? It's impossible not to see it you see it you know but I think at least for me personally I don't care like what people say it's not like affecting me in any way but you know it is good when you win it and you can laugh back a little bit you know that tastes good so yeah it's nice. Can I take you back to that West Ham game you came onto the pitch and that beautiful assist and a huge three points obviously the emotion great save by David Rea all the contentious moments at the end but your assist felt like a that was that was what I thought you're gonna win this league yeah no I felt like a big moment I thought the game was was tough you know we had to dig deep and yeah it was for me personally as well was such a special moment been fighting with my injuries and yeah to help the team in that way means a lot to me so it was special there of course you had the big celebrations on tuesdays a little bit more this evening no doubt as well when does the hard work really start i mean we had a great celebration on on tuesday and uh yeah the vibes are unreal you know everyone is so happy uh but we have another big final you know in just a week so we'll uh we'll wait to party for after that i think so when's training is it tomorrow you get i think we're off tomorrow yeah and then Tuesday training so we'll go easy tonight i think take right with me please i'm always with them i don't need to go with them i'm always with them that would just be i mean you've already achieved so much but to do that as well would just be extraordinary wouldn't it yeah it would be unreal uh i mean we're living the dream you know winning a premier league being in a champions league final uh i was speaking to my mate you know about growing up dreaming about this you know and now we're there so we gotta enjoy it and make sure we're ready and go for it and hopefully we can do it absolutely martin enjoy these moments congratulations thank you so much amazing season martin urdegaard who as he said has had his injury frustrations this season well done martin but as jamie pointed out when they needed him when he came on at west ham and he made such a difference didn't he kept him that's what you do and he's always been so calm on the ball and I think sometimes he has to always win over the Arsenal fans, but he's always won over me.

51:02I love people that see things differently. When the ball comes to him in the right moments, it's like he plays the game in slow motion, and he has that class and that quality, and that was, no matter what you say, David Reyes save and that pass for the goal for Trossard. They are moments that we'll look back for many years to come and think that's where we won the league.

51:17Ian Wright:I think the fans who doubt him know his capabilities. I think it's more that sometimes when he's receiving the ball just in front of the midfield, you want him more in between the lines because like you said in that game, that's where he can make the difference. Seems a great level as well. What a nice guy. Yeah, he is. I guess if you'd said Ian, if he was going to miss so many games this season and Arsenal would still win the league, you might be a bit surprised. No, the thing is, I think that if we're going to win that, we're going to need him at some stage on that pitch for exactly what Jamie's saying, for that little bit of composure because we're going through a phase in that game as well.

51:50Ian Wright:We've been going through phases in games where we've needed somebody to come on with that kind of composure, with that kind of class. and set it up for Leo to score the goal like he did. And that was the captain. That's what he'd done. That's how he leads. Ultimately, Micah, was this a title that was won on the strength of Arsenal's defence? Yeah, and more so the goalkeeper, David Rea, is my player of the season. I think he's been absolutely outstanding. Trossad there on his screen scored a lot of important goals. Haberts as well scored important goals. And that man, Saka, to come through the U and have that feeling of winning the Premier League, it's just massive for him.

52:25Ian Wright:He's such a humble person off the field and then he's aggressive on it. So I'm delighted for him personally because of his up and down and what he's had to deal with in terms of the England stuff and then coming to Arsenal and now he's shining. But 19 clean sheets, Jamie. They faced the fewest shots. They strangled opponents, didn't they? They didn't let them breathe. They won the ball high and then when they lost the ball, they worked like anything to get back into their shape. Absolutely. I think Arsenal have always had fantastic defensive partnerships. You know, when you think of Adams and Bold many years ago, and that was elite, you know, writing will tell you better than I will.

53:00But you will definitely be talking about Saliba and Gabriel for many years to come. You know, they're like a wall. It was so difficult to stop. And then you've got people like Deca and Rice in front of them. You know, it just gives you that defensive solidity back to front. And gives so much because of his energy, James. Absolutely. But it's a team effort. You need a fantastic goalkeeper to win the title. You need great defence. You need to have match winners. You need the forwards that can do their bit. and obviously Bakaio Saka's come back into the team after his little injury and it takes everything and that's exactly what they've done today but where would you rank those two centre-backs right here for your team?

53:32Ian Wright:Well it's funny because I was going through it the other day if you're going to have a pairing now if you've got the all-time best 11 I wouldn't split them two up, I'm sorry obviously Tony's the greatest captain in our history and you know what I mean it'd be tight but them two together now as a pairing and what they've done and how great they've been would be in the mix honestly if if i had to choose probably i'd probably take them two now i'll take them two well they had to fight for saliba didn't they and then they kept him he was loaned out a couple of times but he is the absolute cornerstone of this team under michel arteta alongside gabriel with raya behind them with rice and patrolling in front and here is michel arteta fresh from the bumps

54:16afternoon see you again how did you enjoy that it was beautiful you got the joy of all the people they've been waiting for so long they fully that's what it's all about isn't it we have some difficult moments along the way but uh all of them they are worthy when you see that kind of reaction because you always seem so focused michael we speak to you before games after games there's an intensity there with you as well is this when you can let the guard drop 100 now Now it's time to enjoy, to take the manager hat off and get there and enjoy with them. What's special about this team? Why this year and not the previous three years?

54:53I think we showed an incredible connection, an incredible commitment and an incredible courage as well, because everything that was around us has fueled the desire that we have to go and do it. And look at that. and let me ask you about the summer as well and the role that the owners played in this because you seem to acquire a lot of players who were ready for now rather than develop for future years everyone is better apart obviously and we have an incredible ownership they've been through the tough times and that's when you really see people and when you really get to know people and they have incredible values they know the sport better than any of us here and they have committed themselves to a project that we have delivered.

55:41And along the way, a lot of people, the people that brought me here, for example, when Edu was here, we team was here, and all these people, they've been instrumental for everything that happened.

55:51Ian Wright:I'm going to ask you, because in 1999 we came second, in 2000 we came second, in 2001 we came second. Was there any time in those three years before this one where you're thinking, is this ever going to happen? There are doubts. I think doubt and understanding that maybe you're not the right person. Okay, I've been able to take them all the way here, but maybe somebody else has to come and do the final job. But thanks God we've done it. And I feel a lot of joy and honestly a little bit of relief as well. So what you're saying there is that you're thinking that there was a time where you think, did you ever doubt yourself?

56:30Yes, I think part of the job. I mean, I can control certain things, but there are many things that are out of your hands. And that's why you need the best people around you to do that. And sometimes when you doubt yourself, to have people as well next to you to say, no, we're going to do it and we're going to do it with you. And is it even more special, Mikel, because of the team and the manager that was hunting you down for so long this season? Well, at the end, you raise your level because you have a position that constantly is asking that question to you. and we had in my opinion the best team in the history of this competition with Pep the best manager by far in my opinion of the world and to do it in those circumstances in the manner that we've done it because we did it with the we it's all about the we in this team and I love every minute of it so after all this how do you raise your team again for one huge moment next Saturday is what I said and now this shirt represents something else and now we have an opportunity to write a new history in our club and I'm convinced that we're going to do it.

57:35We wish you well, Mikel. Thank you so much again. Go and enjoy the rest of the celebrations. Mikel Arteta, title winner of Arsenal. After three years as a run as up, they've done it this time and who knows, the crowning glory could be waiting next Saturday.

57:51Ian Wright:Well, you hope so because like he said there, you have to doubt yourself but then you have faith in what you're doing you know he's built a great team and I think finishing it like we have now and everybody's so focused you saw Martin there you saw the boss there what it will come down to is now is just going and finishing this off because like I said we've done it before where we haven't finished off finishing second consecutively three times we've done it like I said but this time to win it and then try to win the Champions League is something that no one's done in our heads. Righty if you win the Champions League where will he rank in great Arsenal managers?

58:25Ian Wright:Well the thing is when you look at Arsene Wenger and what he'd done in respects of having to sign to put himself up as a surety against the stadium. So he is forced to stay there. And then what he done in those years and getting us into Champions League is amazing, but he didn't quite get us over the line in respects of the Champions League. And if Mikel can do that, then he supersedes everybody because he's done something that no one in our history has done before. So he's got to be up there. And what he's done to manage them through this as well as a man who's come in as a number two he's not managed before coming to a club like the size of arsenal turned everything around got people out got people in got the owners on side got the fans on side and now we stand one step away from winning the champions league which we haven't done before it's incredible he will go down as the best for us

59:27The celebrations continue here in South London, where the Kings of North London have been celebrating getting their hands on the Premier League trophy. Team effort according to Mikel Arteta, the owners certainly played their part. And here is the co-chairman, Josh Cronkiew now with David Craig.

59:52Well Josh, first of all many many congratulations but let's set aside the ownership of the club as a fan which you are and your family. What does this mean today? You can see and feel and hear it behind me. I think the whole entire fan base, global fan base, all supporters are overcome with emotion after 22 years and if anybody deserves it it's this group for sure you and your father were present here today just how much is the Kroenke family invested in Arsenal Football Club yeah emotionally financially everything this club means the world to us and I think it took a few people a few years to really understand what that meant but now we've got some great people we've got some great players some great coaches and just got to continue providing them the resources they can to go out and do magical things like they did this season now back at home with the basketball the NFL the ice hockey you've on all the big ones this was the one that was missing from the franchise how special is that uh it's incredibly special um it's a different kind of uh what i would say it's a slower burn than our championships in the united states when you have the playoff system uh here the cumulative points it's it's a grind and you start to feel it in december and uh credit to our players our staff and michael for keeping their heads on uh because they they deserve it now of course this

1:01:07Ian Wright:is just the first stage of the journey there's a small trip abroad to come at the end of the week How much are you looking forward to that? Absolutely. I mean, we've achieved one of our goals, but we have several other as well. And there's still one to be played for next weekend. So I think today is about enjoying today. And tomorrow we'll get back to work because there's still one more to play. And just to finish off, Josh, does patience pay off? You've been incredibly patient as a family. You've shown stability. Is that the way you bring success to big franchise? It's nice to see the results at times.

1:01:41but you get really good people that have really good work ethic and you trust each other. And over time that trust gets tested at different points but when it comes to fruition like it does today it makes it all worthwhile, that's for sure. Well listen, many congratulations from all of us today. Good luck next week on Saturday and enjoy the moment. Save some voice for Saturday night. Thank you very much, much appreciated. Yeah, Josh Conkrie has gone from really persona non grata around the whole European Super League affair to being the man of the moment as far as Arsenal fans are concerned now because he's helped them deliver a Premier League trophy.

1:02:17Declan Rice, Bakayo Saka. Declan. Premier League champion. How does that sound? Incredible. I don't know, really. It's just everything I've dreamt of, you know, just saying and just feeling that we're champions now. It's just all we've wanted. Like, saying I'm a champion, and it just feels nice, and it's just been a dream, you know. It's everything I expected, and more, I just, yeah, I can't believe it. It's incredible. Is it dream comes true stuff, Mikhail, really?

1:02:51Ian Wright:Yeah, literally, we were standing there, and I said to JT, like, we're literally standing in our dreams, you know, about to lift a Premier League trophy. It's so surreal. I want to take you back, though, to Manchester City. You know what I'm talking about. And it was that reaction from you at the full-time whistle that you were saying to your teammates, it's not done, And the Arsenal fans there were just reminding you of that moment as well. Was that... When it happened, Declan, did you actually believe it or were you just trying to comfort your teammates in that moment? I believed it 100 % because I took a lot from that game, but also comfort my teammates as well and calm everyone down because there were still five games to go.

1:03:30It weren't like it was the last game of the season. And I think after that, we started to just be a bit more free in our game, didn't we? We started to play a bit better. It was a little bit less pressure off us because in April, end of March, you could sense there was a bit of pressure with the performances and we was not trying to let any outside noise come in. But once that City game was over, I think we actually said, look, boys, this is five games. We've got this whole way top. We can't throw this away. And yeah, it was a strong message and it's paid off.

1:04:00Ian Wright:But Kyle, I'm going to ask you, remember that post where you've done about saying to the Arsenal fans about you deserve back? Where was you there? Where was you in your head at that stage? I was in a dark place. Obviously, I know what you guys have done for the club and where this club has been in the past. And at that very moment, we were very, very low and very far from the level that I believed Arsenal should be. And obviously, I know from school, from social media, the banter, what people say about Arsenal, how they laugh about Arsenal. In that moment, I was just so sad. I just wanted to put it all out and opposed.

1:04:33Ian Wright:And that's just what I felt at the moment. So when you feel now, you don't feel like you want to say to people, ha, ha, ha, it's done. We can just move, yeah? It's done, man. No more jokes, man. It's our time. Going back to that pressure, how do you deal with that pressure? Because of that psychological battle. I was always saying throughout the season, I think you're good enough to win it, but once it becomes a square, Man City thought they would have that edge over you guys. Yeah, 100%. I think there was a couple of crucial meetings that took place as players, just like as a group without any of the staff, just players.

1:05:07And we just spoke openly about how we feel and what's achievable. What sort of stage of the season was that? Well, after Wolves was one of them. Going into the Spurs game, that was. I think that was probably the most crucial one, just because we said, like, if we're going to win, let's enjoy winning, winning. Like, in a good way. Let's not just feel pressure all the time. because we'd got so far playing so well and we was in all competitions at that stage still and everything just felt so good. But also there was a bit of a negative still. You could just sense it. And we was like, let's just relax a little bit.

1:05:38And I think from that moment, everyone just calmed down and just felt free. And yeah, I think that was the turning point.

1:05:44Ian Wright:You know, when you're in a meeting like that, there's always one person in a meeting that kind of like hits it and everybody kind of goes, yeah, okay. Was there anyone in a meeting that made you feel like, I like what he's saying. I think I know one player that I think... Chris? Yeah, Norgard said some really good words. Wow. I was going to say Martin as well when he started it off. And also Eze. He ended it with some really nice and strong messages. Because he's such a calm guy. You see how he plays on the pitch? That's how he is off the pitch. And he just calmed everyone. And it was really nice.

1:06:20And I think that's another thing this season. There's been a lot of people who've stepped up behind the scenes. that no one would think they're leaders, but they're really talkative within the group and they've pushed people in quiet, one-to-one. So it's been a real group effort this season. It's been really good. But, Kaio, I know you're a Hailem boy. I don't know what age were you there when you first started, 7 '8"? 7 '8". I mean, how does that feel now to be now Premier League? When you were coming through and just watching all the players, all the greats that were there, and now you've got that medal round your neck.

1:06:49Ian Wright:Yeah, no, it's crazy. I don't know how to describe it. You know, it's like when you're that age, you look at the players in the first team as like heroes, like untouchable. You know, you don't actually believe you can get there. But now I'm here. I'm just like, I don't know what to say. I don't know what to say. I'm just I'm over the moon, man. This is everything to me and my family. We've worked years for this. So I'm just so happy. It must justify. It's the humbleness. Oh, man, I'm just happy. And it must justify all that training, all that running that you've done, all the injury recoveries that you've had to do both of you along the way as well.

1:07:19and now you've got this around your necks and this hopefully is not the end for you guys this summer. This is another big one you could have around your neck next week and then we want you to bring the World Cup home, guys. Yeah, that'd be nice. I think that's the message from the manager already is that we just need to have now enjoy today but tomorrow is full focus on PSG because we've got a massive opportunity there and we want that, you know, we want the double, we want to push for that. and then of course England so there's a lot coming up but I'm sure it'll all be worth it we're so pleased with you go and enjoy it guys thank you so much thank you well done well done Bakayo thank you so much thank you top man thank you well done absolute heartbeat of this Arsenal team these two young boys who Bakayo Sakho has been there all the way through Declan Rice they spent the big money on didn't they £100 million and wow has he justified that he has delivered with their first Premier League title and as he was saying maybe it doesn't stop there because the Champions League is on the table next week but how about those two for

1:08:27Ian Wright:absolutely incredible two men who serve your club and represent your club in that way it's just the humility what's righty up to look at him honestly does he know he's working at him we've lost him we've just signed him and we've lost him already uncontrollable he is

1:08:49Tell me about Declan Rice and Bakayo Saka.

1:08:51Ian Wright:Just read their interview there and you know... It's that humility, isn't it, that shines through? It really is and it's the humility in saying it as well. Sometimes you have an interview and they say, no, we wasn't nervous or no, there wasn't times where we doubted it. They were totally honest about the situation and going up against and that's why I said before, going up against a Man City side who know how to win. When it become level, it must have been really, really nervy for them. So for them to get over the line and do it the way they did it, yes, at times it could have been better, but in terms of getting over the line, they've done that now.

1:09:25Yeah, I think someone needs some water. Sorry, can we, yeah.

1:09:27Ian Wright:Sorry, Martinelli's mum just asked me some water. I'm trying to get her some water. Are you sorry I'm trying to do this? He's part of the squad, isn't he? There's no water. I was just... Jamie, go on. I was going to ask Declan Rice because I think he's such a great story for any young kid that wants to be a footballer because he had the toughest Obviously the toughest thing as a footballer is when you get released from a club. You know, he got released from his team, his childhood club at 14 years of age. Probably thought, OK, where do I go from here? Have I got an opportunity to play in the Premier League?

1:09:55Then he goes to West Ham. They were not necessarily unsure, but they didn't know how good he was going to be. And then you see he becomes a£100 million player, comes to Arsenal, has now got that belief, that confidence. It's an amazing story. It just shows you sometimes it's not always a direct route. not all of these players are on the red carpet. You see the World Cup that's been named. A lot of the players have played in the EFL. And that's a great story for any young player to just think that I can achieve it if I keep working hard and stay in my lane. And one of the greatest English players of his generation, Ian.

1:10:27But he must seriously have been thinking, am I going to get my hands on some major silverware?

1:10:33Ian Wright:Well, we're talking about Deccan. Deccan could have gone to City. City were in for him as well. He chose, you know, obviously if he went to City, probably would have won two or three by now. chose to come to us for a lot of money. And the pressure that was on him, especially when we'd done it the third time, people were calling us bottlers. They said, oh, he shouldn't have came, he shouldn't have came, and he stayed with it, he stuck with it. His quality, he's never less than 8 out of 10. I've never seen him less. His consistency is off the charts. And that's why they sing Declan Rice, we got him half price.

1:11:01Ian Wright:Because he is absolutely one of the main leaders of this team, and he's proven it again.

1:11:11Thanks for listening to the Sky Sports Premier League podcast. Don't forget to hit follow so you don't miss an episode.