After a passionate kiss with his wife, tears flowed; Arsenal manager says, "Winning without you would have been impossible"... Anecdote about him rushing out of the training ground also revealed

*This content was translated by AI.

Mikel Arteta (44), Arsenal manager, shed tears of emotion while sharing a passionate kiss with his wife at the moment he had long awaited: winning the English Premier League (EPL).

The UK's "The Sun" reported on the 25th (Korea time) that "Manager Arteta, at a championship celebration event held immediately after the season's final match against Crystal Palace, cupped his wife Lorena Bernal's face with both hands and shared a deep kiss."

Arsenal defeated Crystal Palace 2-1 in the 38th round final of the 2025-2026 EPL, held at Selhurst Park in London, UK, on this day. Arsenal's EPL title is the first in 22 years since the undefeated championship myth under manager Arsène Wenger in the 2003-2004 season. Although they finished as runners-up for three consecutive seasons, trailing Manchester City and Liverpool over the past three seasons, this year the leadership of manager Mikel Arteta and the club's trust finally bore fruit.

Arsenal had already secured the title on the 20th when second-place Manchester City drew with Bournemouth, and held a championship celebration event after today's match. The media reported that "Manager Arteta, wearing a special shirt with 'Champions 26' written on it, embraced his wife Bernal and their son during the championship ceremony. After kissing his wife, who had supported him throughout his career, he pulled her into his arms, swayed his body, and savored the overwhelming joy."

It further added, "His wife responded with a bright smile. As Arteta stepped away from his wife's embrace, unable to contain his rising emotions, he was captured on camera wiping his eyes."

The media explained that "His wife Bernal, a former Miss World, was the most reliable pillar that allowed Manager Arteta to endure for over six years leading the team."

In a pre-match interview, Manager Arteta said, "My wife was the driving force that allowed me to maintain composure, confidence, and energy," expressing his love and gratitude by adding, "Without her, none of this would have been possible."

While players received medals and lifted the trophy, Manager Arteta, who had stepped back a step, later personally received the trophy, ran toward the away fans, and lifted it high to share the joy.

The media reported that "Manager Arteta was found to have left the club's training ground on the night of the 19th, when Arsenal's championship was decided, to spend time with his family due to extreme tension."

Manager Arteta shared the behind-the-scenes story, saying, "I tried to stay with the players at the training ground before the Manchester City match, but I couldn't bear the tension, so I headed home 20 minutes before kickoff. I was in no state to provide good energy, and I judged it better for the players to gather on their own and watch the result."

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*This content was translated by AI.