Arteta urges Arsenal to chase Champions League glory after Premier League triumph

LONDON: Mikel Arteta has called on Arsenal to build on their Premier League title success by trying to win the Champions League for the first time in the club's history.

Arsenal sealed the league crown with a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday, with Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke scoring the goals. The victory ensured the Gunners finished seven points ahead of second-placed Manchester City. They had already secured their first English league title in 22 years on Tuesday, when City were held to a draw by Bournemouth.

The trophy presentation followed Sunday's match, with captain Martin Odegaard lifting the silverware decorated in red and white ribbons in front of thousands of Arsenal supporters gathered in one end of the stadium. Arteta was tossed into the air by his players during the celebrations and was later seen in tears on the pitch as Arsenal marked the end of a six-year wait for a trophy.

The celebrations continued for nearly two hours before Arteta attended his post-match press conference wearing a shirt bearing the words 26 Champions and a gold medal around his neck.

Speaking after the presentation, Arteta said the achievement was difficult to describe.

It is very difficult to put it into words. What a moment. A lot of emotions, a lot of joy, pride.

He said the way Arsenal had won the title reflected the character of the squad and the work done over recent seasons.

The manner that we've done it, represents what the guys are feeling and the reason why this magic happened.

I'm happy and relieved. Obviously, throughout this journey, we have made some massive steps. We have accomplished a lot of things that have a lot of value.

But at the end of the day, we are here to win major trophies. That was the ultimate goal. We came very close.

We fell short on three occasions, and that was very painful. But I think that's what has driven all of us to find new ways to show what we are made of and that's why I said that the manner that we've done it, it makes it even better.

Focus shifts to Europe

Arteta said winning the title had changed what the Arsenal shirt now stands for, but added that success also brings added responsibility for the players and staff.

I said to the boys that this shirt now represents something else. We are the champions, and that brings a lot of confidence and a different kind of presence and energy to it.

But another kind of responsibility as well. And my job now, and for everybody at the club, is going to be to lift those standards now and achieve much more, because I think we are capable of doing it.

Arsenal's next target is the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest on Saturday. It will be only the club's second appearance in the final of Europe's top club competition after losing to Barcelona in 2006. PSG are the holders and had beaten Arsenal in last season's semi-finals.

Arteta said Arsenal intend to carry the momentum from their domestic title celebrations into preparations for the final.

We need that energy to flow, and going against that, will be a big mistake.

We talked already about what we have to do in Budapest, how we're going to use all the incredible energy that we're all carrying towards that final. And tomorrow we're going to start to prepare for it.

We can't wait to write a new chapter in the history of our club and lift the Champions League.