Mikel Arteta did something to Pep Guardiola that no other manager has done

Good morning, Arsenal fans. It wasn't a dream; you don't need to be pinched. Arsenal really are Premier League champions. Mikel Arteta has finished above Pep Guardiola for two seasons in a row - A feat that no other manager in history can brag.

Mikel Arteta spent years perfecting his craft under Pep Guardiola. You can see through his wacky tactical approaches, passion for the intricacies of the game and utmost respect for his colleagues that he has learned a thing or two.

Now, though, there is a new Premier League winner in town. In the process, Mikel Arteta broke a remarkable achievement that no other manager in history has ever done.

Mikel Arteta is the first manager to better Pep Guardiola in consecutive seasons

Whenever Pep Guardiola loses, he gets back up again. At least that was the motto heading into the title race.

Before this season, there were four isolated seasons in which Guardiola had lost the league title.

Barcelona 2011-12: finished 2nd behind Real Madrid
Man City 2016-17: finished 3rd
Man City 2019-20: finished 2nd behind Liverpool
Man City 2024-25: finished 3rd

After the first three of those seasons, Guardiola's side had bounced back to win the league. Not this time, though.

Heading into the final day of this season, Arsenal's first-place position is confirmed, and Man City's second-place position is confirmed. This is the second season in a row that Arsenal have finished above Man City, since the Gunners were second last season and Man City were third.

This means that Mikel Arteta is the only manager to finish above Pep Guardiola in two successive seasons. It's not a record that Arteta will boast about because he respects his friend Guardiola, but it's certainly a record worthy of applause.

Pep Guardiola is a legend who will haunt Arsenal no more

For years, Pep Guardiola has dominated the Premier League. Since he arrived in England 10 years ago, only Antonio Conte, Jürgen Klopp, Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta have beaten him to the title.

Without a shadow of a doubt, Pep Guardiola is one of the best to ever do it in the Premier League. He came in when the Premier League needed a new hero most, and he completely redefined what it meant to be respectful in this league.

Throughout the title races with Liverpool and Arsenal, Guardiola remained respectful. Despite the rivalry with Man City, you just couldn't help but like Guardiola.

Now that Pep Guardiola is (probably) leaving, it means a new era for the Premier League.

All of Arsenal's rivals are in transitional periods. Tottenham, Chelsea, Man City (predicted) and Man United all have relatively new managers. Liverpool seem to be sticking with Arne Slot, but he's not worked out for them this season.

Arsenal, on the other hand, are cruising on a built-up and established ship. They've been through their transitional period, and now they can build on some serious momentum.

Where others are building, they have built. They have finally broken the trophy hoodoo, and now they've got a taste for silverware, hopefully that will continue on in this new era.

If Arteta learned anything from Pep, let it be that consistency is key.

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