Mikel Arteta would welcome talks with Arsenal on a new contract, as the Emirates Stadium natives look to lock the Spaniard down to 2025 and ward off interest from Manchester City.
That’s according to the Daily Mail, who note the Gunners hierarchy are determined to keep Arteta in north London. Manchester City are keeping close tabs on his situation at Arsenal, as the manager’s existing deal is currently set to expire at the end of the 2022/23 season.
Pep Guardiola’s deal at the Etihad Stadium is likewise due to end next year and the Citizens feel Arteta could replace the 51-year-old. Arsenal are conscious of Arteta soon entering the last year of his contract and the risk of him also emerging as an option to replace Guardiola.
Arteta has impressed Arsenal staff since replacing Unai Emery as their head coach in 2019. They admire how the 39-year-old has built his side around Hale End products Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe. So, club staff are confident he is taking them in the right direction.
His handling of high-earning stars like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has also stood out to the Gunners leadership. Arteta stripped the Gabon striker of their captain’s armband last month for his latest disciplinary breach. The forward has not been seen on the pitch since.
Arteta set for pay rise as Arsenal plot new contract to 2025
Arteta’s leadership off the field has also impressed the Arsenal hierarchy vastly as they plot a new contract. The ex-Gunners midfielder played a key role in his players agreeing to take temporary pay cuts early in the pandemic.
His ardent defence of the club following the Premier League postponing the north London derby has also stood out. Arsenal only had one confirmed Covid-19 case in their squad, but injuries, suspensions and players on Africa Cup of Nations duty left Arteta short of options.
Arsenal now hope to lock Arteta down with a new, two-year contract – taking his tenure to 2025. Any extension would hand the coach a pay rise on his existing £5m-a-year terms. He has taken 62 wins across all competitions so far from 112 games at the Emirates helm.
Martin Odegaard, who joined Arsenal for £34m, has also hailed Arteta since his initial loan from Real Madrid last January. The Norway captain told VG: “Very good. He is incredibly good. I have a lot to learn from him. Just sharpen your ears and follow. He is fantastic.”
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