It's official! Arteta wins it.

Aadam Patel
Football Reporter

A lesson for clubs across the game of the value that patience in a manager and his idea can bring.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

There are plenty of contenders for manager of the year but in the end my pick is Mikel Arteta for ending Arsenal’s 22-year wait for the Premier League title and taking them to the Champions League final for the first time since 2006.

The pressure to deliver was on this season and he has.

Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

The weight of getting Arsenal over the line in the title race has been heavy, so for the Spaniard to finally navigate that makes him a worthy pick.

A Premier League-Champions League double would be something.

But collecting our first ever BBC Sport Manager of the Season award would take Arteta's year to a whole other level.

Image source, Getty Images

Only one manager can win the Premier League each season, and in the 2025-26 campaign, it was Mikel Arteta.

After three second-place finishes in a row, Arteta became the first manager since 2004 to guide the Gunners to the Premier League title.

The Spaniard could complete a remarkable double this weekend when Arsenal face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final.

Games: 38

Wins: 26

Draws: 7

Losses: 5

Position: 1st

Alex Howell
BBC Sport Arsenal reporter

The Arsenal manager has made the biggest step of all by leading his team to the Premier League title after three second-placed finishes in a row. Now he has got Arsenal over the line, I think we could see a period of winning start for the Gunners.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport Chelsea reporter

There were rumours about Daniel Farke’s future before the season had even begun.

Leeds were reported to have explored other options before sticking with the German, and by December his side were in the relegation zone, with his position again under scrutiny.

However, a win against Chelsea and a draw with Liverpool in successive matches, in a new formation, helped steady the ship.

Farke and Leeds did not look back from that point, finishing on 47 points in 14th place — closer to the European spots than the relegation zone.

It represents an impressive managerial achievement, given Leeds did not spend more than £20m on an individual player and did not significantly strengthen the squad after winning the Championship last summer.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport Chief Football News Reporter

With a strong nod of appreciation to Mikel Arteta, who has built something over time at Arsenal that rightfully saw them crowned champions and swept them into the Champions League final, I think it is worth fully grasping what Le Bris has done at Sunderland.

Fifteen minutes from the end of their play-off final with Sheffield United last season, they were out.

From that momentous Wembley comeback, Le Bris has built a squad that started the campaign so well, they were clear of relegation trouble, then responded to a run of one win in six game to the middle of March by completing the double over Newcastle.

Victories in their last two games has secured a place in Europe next season for the first time since 1974. That is truly phenomenal.

Image source, Getty Images

It seems everything Regis le Bris touches turns to gold.

Since arriving at Sunderland in June 2024, the Frenchman has not only guided the Black Cats back to the Premier League but also led them to their first European qualification in 53 years.

Sunderland were one of the season's surprise packages, more than holding their own in their first top-flight campaign in nine years.

Their Europa League place was underpinned by a formidable home record, with just three defeats all season.

Games: 38

Wins: 14

Draws: 12

Losses: 12

Position: 7th

Let's wait and see, Adrian.

The inaugural BBC Sport Football Awards continue. Next up, Premier League manager of the season.

Agree with our experts? Granit Xhaka made waves on his Premier League return with Sunderland, but would you choose him as your signing of the season?

Image source, Getty Images

The results are in, our pundits have voted, and...

...Granit Xhaka is the BBC Sport Awards' Premier League signing of the season!

Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

Simply put, his goals have kept Leeds in the Premier League. He can count himself unlucky not to be named in England’s World Cup squad.

Alex Howell
BBC Sport Arsenal reporter

For me it is Dominic Calvert Lewin. The front man was signed on a free and scored 14 league goals as Leeds survived relegation.

Image source, Getty Images

Hang on, there's been a late third suggestion from our experts...