Arteta Wins First Barclays Manager of the Season Award After Guiding Arsenal to Historic Premier League Title
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Mikel Arteta has been named the 2025/26 Barclays Premier League Manager of the Season after leading Arsenal to their first league title in 22 years.
The Spanish coach guided Arsenal to a historic Premier League triumph, ending the club’s long wait for the title since the famous 2003/04 “Invincibles” season under Arsène Wenger.
After finishing runners-up in three consecutive seasons, Arteta finally guided the Gunners to the summit, defeating Manchester City in the title race and securing the championship in the penultimate Matchweek of the campaign.
Arsenal’s success was built on defensive solidity and tactical discipline throughout the season. The North London side kept 19 clean sheets and conceded only 27 league goals, both the best defensive records in the division during the 2025/26 campaign.
Going forward, Arsenal also impressed in attack, scoring 71 goals — the second-highest total in the league behind Manchester City’s 77.
The award marks the first time Arteta has won the Barclays Manager of the Season accolade and makes him the first Arsenal manager to receive the honour since Wenger won it during each of his title-winning campaigns.
Arteta also made history by becoming the first manager to win the Premier League title with a club he previously represented as a player in the competition, having played for Arsenal between 2011 and 2016.
At 44 years old, Arteta also becomes one of the youngest managers ever to win the Premier League title, behind only José Mourinho during his early title-winning years with Chelsea.
The Arsenal boss won the award after votes from supporters were combined with those of a panel of football experts.
Other nominees included Keith Andrews, Michael Carrick, Pep Guardiola, Andoni Iraola and Regis Le Bris.
Arsenal will now look to complete a memorable season by chasing a Premier League and UEFA Champions League double when they face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final in Budapest on Saturday.
