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Arteta says he will be Bournemouth’s biggest fan against Manchester City
19th May, 2026 07:12 PM
Arsenal moved to within touching distance of the Premier League crown after edging Burnley 1-0 on Monday night, May 18, 2026. The victory means the Gunners will secure the title if Manchester City fail to overcome Bournemouth on Tuesday night, May 19, 2026.
Ahead of City and Bournemouth encounter, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is now hoping his long-time friend Andoni Iraola can help deliver the championship.
After the Burnley win, Arteta jokingly claimed he would become the “biggest” Bournemouth supporter ahead of their crucial clash against City, as Arsenal stand just one favourable result away from lifting the league trophy.
Standing in City’s path is Bournemouth manager Iraola, who shares a close childhood connection with Arteta after both grew up together and played youth football in Spain’s Basque region.
After City boss Pep Guardiola openly backed West Ham against Arsenal last week, Arteta has now returned the favor by throwing his support behind Bournemouth, whose 16-match unbeaten streak is currently the longest across Europe’s top five leagues.
Backing Bournemouth
“The biggest ever!” said Arteta when asked whether he would support Bournemouth on Tuesday,” he said.
“For Andoni, and all the players and all the supporters of Bournemouth, I think we are all [Bournemouth fans] because we know what it means if they get a result.”
When questioned about whether he planned to contact Iraola with advice or encouragement, Arteta responded: “I don’t think it’s needed.
“What he’s done in that football club, the transformation, what they are playing for, I don’t think they need anything else. When you look at how Burnley played today, the spirit that they show, how difficult they made it, imagine [Bournemouth].”
Arteta also admitted he would not watch the Bournemouth versus Manchester City showdown alongside his Arsenal squad, preferring instead to follow the action privately at home with his family.
“I don’t know how long I am going to watch it,” he said. “I will be there in front of the TV but I don’t know how much I am going to be able to watch it, that is the reality.”
Arsenal’s tense win over Burnley reflected much of their season, disciplined defending, moments of anxiety, and another slim victory margin. Kai Havertz netted the decisive goal shortly before halftime, although he later escaped a potential red card following a dangerous challenge on Lesley Ugochukwu.
The triumph marked Arsenal’s eighth 1-0 league victory of the campaign, further highlighting the resilience that has kept them ahead in the title race.
Speaking about coping with the pressure, Arteta joked: “I don’t know. I thought that the amount of hair that I have, it is never going to go away. But I think this job is going to test it to the limit,” he added.
