Andoni Iraola played a big role in helping Arsenal win the Premier League title.
The Gunners did a lot of the hard work themselves and deserve full credit for their efforts. However, every club that ends up as champions need some help along the way.
On Tuesday night, Bournemouth provided that assist to Arsenal by holding Manchester City to a draw. That result meant that Pep Guardiola’s side could not mathematically catch the North Londoners anymore.
Being the classy man that he is, Mikel Arteta rang up Iraola to thank him, while also pulling his leg a little bit.
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Mikel Arteta tells Andoni Iraola he almost cost Arsenal the title before gifting it to them
Iraola has established himself as an incredible Premier League manager.
Not many people had really heard of the Spaniard when he first became the Bournemouth boss, and he didn’t have a great start either.
However, he has since transformed the Cherries and turned them into a side capable of beating any team on their day.
Arsenal learned that the hard way when they were beaten by Bournemouth just a few weeks ago. Many felt the Premier League title race was over at that point.
Arteta felt that his childhood pal had cost him the title, but Iraola did the Gunners the biggest favour in two decades by handing them the English crown.
In his press conference, Arteta revealed that he spoke to Iraola on the phone after the game.
He said, as per Arsenal.com: “I didn’t message him, no. I called him. I called him yesterday, first of all, to congratulate him for the incredible job that he’s done with Bournemouth.
“Obviously, I said, you almost took the Premier League away from us, and now you helped us to win it.
“So a quick call to say thank you, as well to show my admiration towards him and wishing the best in the next chapter of his career, which I’m sure is going to be very, very successful.”
The Premier League trophy is dressed in red and white after 22 years. How does this make you feel?
Andoni Iraola is someone Arsenal should keep an eye on
After winning the Premier League title, Arsenal will definitely offer a brand new contract to Arteta, and that is the right thing to do.
The Spaniard has earned the right to stay at the club for a long time, but there will surely come a time when he will decide to leave.
Arsenal will need to be very careful with their succession plan, and one manager they really should keep an eye on is Iraola.
The 43-year-old will leave Bournemouth this summer and end up at a better job elsewhere. We are convinced that he will be successful wherever he goes.
When the time comes, we think he would be a great option to replace Arteta at the Emirates Stadium.
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