Mikel Arteta endured a challenging start to his Arsenal tenure, with both results and performances taking time to reach the desired level following his appointment.
However, the club's patience and faith in the Spaniard have ultimately been vindicated, with Arteta's patient rebuild transforming the Gunners into genuine contenders on both the domestic and European stages.
After three successive second-placed finishes in the Premier League, Arteta finally delivered the title in the 2025-26 season, bringing an end to Arsenal's 22-year wait for top-flight glory.
The Spaniard also came agonisingly close to leading the Gunners to their first Champions League triumph, only to suffer defeat to reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain on penalties after a hard-fought 1-1 draw that remained level after 120 minutes.
That near miss has only strengthened faith in Arteta's project, while the Arsenal faithful have readily embraced their manager with chants that have become an increasingly familiar sound around the Emirates Stadium.
For everything you need to know about the Arteta chant, including the lyrics and tune, read on.
Mikel Arteta chant lyrics and tune
The Mikel Arteta chant has changed slightly over the years. Below is the version that Arsenal fans sang when it was first created:
We’ve got Super Mik Arteta,
He knows exactly what we need,
Tierney at the back,
Gabi in attack,
Arsenal on the way to Champions League
Mikel Arteta chant background
As mentioned, this football chant has been modified over time, due to the fact that Kieran Tierney has since been moved on and that Arsenal's ambitions are now far higher than simply qualifying for the Champions League.
The lyrics we listed above were from a time when qualifying for the Champions League felt like ambition at the Emirates Stadium. The lyrics have since changed to ‘Gabi at the back, Gabi in attack' and either ‘Arsenal are gonna win the league or ‘Arsenal are gonna win the Champions League' depending on what competition they are playing in at the time.
The original chant was created in the midst of a culture shift that was being driven by Arteta. Even if he doesn't end up ever winning the Champions League, he will always have a special connection with the club's supporters due to the fact that he ended their 22-year wait for the Premier League title and made them believe again.
Arsenal fans singing the Mikel Arteta chant
FGG says: A product of its time
In many ways, the birth of this chant at the end of the 2021/22 season was the start of Arsenal fans' renewed positive relationship with the club. Ever since, the Arsenal songbook has seemingly expanded, with new chants emerging for different players almost weekly.
While the chant is now modified, the original should be a reminder to Arsenal fans of how far they've come.