Mikel Arteta's private WhatsApp and swimming pool party: Inside Arsenal's title celebrations

Mikel Arteta is Premier League title-winning manager - and a great party planner.

Gunners boss Arteta was the brain behind his team’s celebrations after Arsenal won their first title in 22 years. Arteta sent round a WhatsApp just after 11pm on Monday night after Arsenal’s win over Burnley to ensure the players watched together - and then partied together.

They were taking nothing for granted, not even beating Burnley so the plan was only put into practice after they got their part of the job done. Arsenal’s squad trained on Tuesday but the session was put back until later in the day so the players would all be at their London Colney HQ to watch Manchester City ’s trip to Bournemouth .

It was never going to be a stage-managed party like Jamie Vardy hosted at his house in 2016 as Leicester celebrated their title win after Tottenham were held by Chelsea . There were cameras and even a picture agency on hand that night but it was no guarantee for Arsenal even though City knew they had to win at Bournemouth to take the title race until the final day.

Arsenal’s players trained and then watched the game together along with staff, coaches but there was one key person missing: Arteta himself.

Arteta went home, let his players enjoy the night and watched the game with his family because it has been such an emotionally charged season.

Once Arsenal players saw City had dropped points the party began at the training ground. Players posted on social media, the club photographer was there and Arsenal stars jumped in the swimming pool to celebrate their unforgettable night.

Arteta had also given his blessing to the players going out afterwards - and several squad members went out into central London to celebrate. It ended with Declan Rice , Bukayo Saka , Jurrien Timber and Eberechi Eze outside the Emirates at 5am after they had toasted their title success.

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The training had been done on Tuesday and few players drink to excess these days and they would not have been celebrating if it had gone to the final day.

There is some down time now before a huge UEFA media event on Thursday to prepare for the Champions League final in Budapest on Saturday week. And they go to Crystal Palace on Sunday for the trophy lift and more celebrations followed by a fancy meal in central London that evening.

That has become quite a tradition after the final game of the season - to have a meal and a get-together at a London hotel - but this time it will feel extra special.