Arsenal ready to reward Mikel Arteta as long-term contract moves closer
Arsenal are closing in on a new contract with Mikel Arteta as the club look to secure the long-term future of their Premier League-winning manager.
Arteta has entered the final year of the deal he signed in September 2024, but discussions over another extension have progressed following the closure of the summer transfer window, according to BBC Sport.
There is understood to be confidence on both sides that an agreement will be reached, with Arteta having already made clear that he wants to remain at the Emirates Stadium.
“Everybody feels comfortable that the timing of the contract is not going to be an issue because my will certainly is to be here and I’m very happy here,” Arteta said last month.
“My feeling from the club is the same one. That’s why everyone is doing things in a very organic way.”
Arsenal chief executive Richard Garlick has similarly described a renewal as a “matter of time”, with the club having prioritised transfer business before returning their attention to negotiations with Arteta.
The 44-year-old is already believed to be one of the highest-earning managers in Europe with a contract that includes a substantial Champions League-related bonus, and reports earlier this year indicated Arsenal were prepared to hand him a significant pay rise.
Such an improvement would reflect the transformation Arsenal have undergone since Arteta replaced Unai Emery in December 2019.
After three successive runners-up finishes, the Spaniard finally guided Arsenal to their first Premier League title in 22 years last season and was subsequently named Barclays Manager of the Season.
Arsenal also reached their first Champions League final since 2006 and have begun another attempt to win the competition with Wednesday’s 1-0 victory away to Napoli.
Arteta is now the longest-serving manager in England’s top four divisions, an unusual degree of continuity in a Premier League that experienced significant managerial upheaval during the summer.
His influence also extends significantly into Arsenal’s squad planning, with the club continuing to back his project during the summer.
Bruno Guimaraes, Ezri Konsa and Christos Tzolis were among the additions, while Arsenal also explored ambitious moves for Julian Alvarez and Vinicius Junior before the transfer deadline.
Arsenal have since made a perfect start to their title defence, winning their opening three Premier League matches before beating Napoli in Europe.
Arteta said after the recent 2-1 comeback victory over Chelsea that Arsenal are capable of surpassing the standards of their championship-winning campaign.
Securing the manager responsible for that progress is therefore the club’s next major piece of business, with his new contract increasingly appearing to be a question of when rather than if.
The post Arsenal ready to reward Mikel Arteta as long-term contract moves closer first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.
