Rarely can a manager who has just won the championship have looked less happy than Arsene Wenger. Celebration seemed the last thing on the Arsenal manager's mind. The Frenchman might even have been serious when he peered at his glass and said: "Not champagne, water. There are four games to go, we are serious." Only a smile gave the game away.

It is a measure of Wenger's perfectionism that it took him a while to enjoy what should have been a perfect day: winning the title at the ground of their local rivals, courtesy of a 2-2 draw. The injury-time antics of Jens Lehmann and the surrendering of a two-goal lead so irritated Wenger that he flung an arm up in anger. He was worried, too, about what his goalkeeper might do next. Only gradually could he enjoy the success in front of Arsenal's fans.

"It's never like you planned in life, especially in football," he said. "It tarnished a little bit the start (of the celebrations) but overall I think not, because what we wanted to achieve was to win the championship and we have done it. We have won the championship without losing a game. That for me is a tremendous achievement. I'm not sure we will see it again."

Wenger talked of "regrets", notably losing to Chelsea in Europe, but did not join Lehmann (who was despondent) and Campbell (who knew better than to go cavorting about this ground) in heading straight down the tunnel. He described "relief" as the overwhelming emotion once the title was confirmed.

If Wenger has insisted his players stick to water, it would be no surprise. He wants to complete the season unbeaten. Birmingham and Leicester at home and trips to Portsmouth and Fulham lie ahead.

"That's my biggest target, to keep the players focused," Wenger said. "Do we switch off or not? That will show how much we want it. I will encourage them because we have put in so much effort. To lose a game or two because we are champions and switch off would not be ideal. We are so close I would love to keep it going."

He also needs to maintain Arsenal's dominance. When his team won the title in 2002 he spoke of a shift in the balance of power, which proved premature. This time he was more circumspect.

"In the last three years we have won the championship twice and the FA Cup twice," he said. "We have made up a lot the difference with Manchester United, who were dominant for three years after 1998. I believe we have to keep humility and wonder how we can become better and that starts with me. If we are able to do that there's still a lot more to come from this team."

His captain, Patrick Vieira, made a similar point - "this club is getting bigger and we aim higher every year" - and Wenger reflected with pride on his team's achievements.

"I'm very proud because we have the best attack in the league, the best defence in the league and everybody says to me that we have played the best football," he said. "We want to win and win with style. I think we have achieved that."

Wenger criticised Lehmann's concession of the late penalty, saying the goalkeeper "should not respond at all". The manager reflected: "Maybe I'm less good at celebrations than a few years ago. In football you are always focusing on the next day and the next day is always a worry in this job." And people wonder why Arsenal are so far ahead.