Arteta: I saw our title win coming in March

Mikel Arteta has said he saw Arsenal's Premier League success coming in March after ending their 22-year wait for the title.

Arsenal were confirmed as champions when Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw by Bournemouth on Tuesday, sparking jubilant scenes of celebration among players, staff and fans.

The outpouring of emotion followed three consecutive second-placed finishes and a nail-biting race for this season's crown with Pep Guardiola's side, who were a goal away from taking it to the wire.

But in an interview for Sky Sports News ahead of Arsenal's final game against Crystal Palace, live on Sky Sports on Sunday, Arteta has told actor and Arsenal fan Tom Hiddleston that he was able to visualise lifting the trophy as early as two months ago.

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"I imagined winning it many times," said Arteta. "Especially because we've been very close in a few seasons.

"But this time, especially, there was something. I've done a lot of visualisation over the last few months.

"I could close my eyes and I could get to that picture immediately, and that was different to the other seasons.

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"Not from the beginning of the season, it was more around March, April when I started that.

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"I knew that was the moment that was going to define the season.

"And, OK, what are the things that you can learn from the past that we didn't have, or which I did that can be done in a different way to help the players to get over the line?"

Asked by Hiddleston what exactly he visualised, Arteta added: "It was a picture of myself lifting the trophy. That was it.

"I think I had to believe in myself to be able to transmit that conviction and energy to the team."

Arsenal's players and staff celebrated their success wildly at the club's training ground on Tuesday before heading into central London, where they were joined by their manager.

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Meanwhile, thousands of fans gathered at the Emirates Stadium, where there was an appearance from Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber and Eberechi Eze in the early hours of the morning.

"It's incredible," said Arteta. "I've been dreaming about this moment for a long time, but when it actually happens, it's different to anything that I imagined.

"I could never expect such a joy and togetherness, and something that happens organically in the manner that it happened straight after we won it. It was magical to witness that."