Manager Mikel Arteta has signed a new three-year deal at Arsenal putting to bed concerns of a potential return to Premier League champions Manchester City.
- Exclusive from Graeme Bailey
While some of a Gunners persuasion were left a little underwhelmed by the club’s summer business – only Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori arriving and the lack of centre-forwards a cause for concern – Arsenal could yet be about to pull off their most important bit of business of the entire year.
It is Mikel Arteta, after all, who has proven to be the catalyst for change at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal were arguably threatening to turn into a bonafide mid-table outfit before the Spaniard sparked a remarkable turnaround. The North London giants have now finished as runners-up in the last two seasons.
That 89-point haul in 2023/24 was their biggest, meanwhile, since Arsene Wenger’s legendary Invincibles side went a whole campaign unbeaten two decades earlier.
Arsenal reach breakthrough in Mikel Arteta contract talks
So tying down Arteta to a new contract was always a priority.
His previous deal was due to expire in 2025. As such, there were concerns among some sections of the fanbase that the former club captain would walk away at the end of the current season.
HITC understands that Man City – where Arteta started his coaching career as an assistant to Pep Guardiola – have been hovering with their own manager entering the final 12 months of his deal too, whilst Real Madrid and Barcelona are also aware of his talents.
HITC can now confirm, however, that Arteta has agreed terms on a new contract at the Emirates in what will be music to the ears of those in the boardroom and on the terraces. The new deal ties the 42-year-old down until the summer of 2027.
Arsenal were always keen to avoid triggering any more uncertainty and letting things drag on into the New Year and HITC revealed that The Gunners hoped to make significant progress in discussions during the September international break, and they did.
Gunners delight at new deal
Sporting Director Edu revealed the club’s delight at a new deal and said: “We are really happy that Mikel has signed a new long-term contract. It’s a very positive and proud moment for everyone at the club and an important part of what we’re all working towards.
“Mikel has shown his qualities since the very first day he joined us, not only as a football manager, but as a person with wonderful values. We have a strong belief in what we are doing and what we want to achieve together. Mikel’s new contract gives us stability and clear direction as we aim for new heights.”
Arteta himself, added: “I feel extremely proud, very excited and am looking forward to what is coming next. I’m proud to be where I am and have the relationships that I have with everyone at the club.
“I feel extremely lucky to work every single day with good people and the ambition we have here. I feel very inspired, I feel challenged, I feel supported and I want to do much more than what we’ve already done together.
“Together with the players and everyone at the club, we are looking forward to the coming years, with our supporters, who have emotionally transformed the club and the team. Our supporters have transformed individuals and we are different now. You can tell that we are different and for me, that is down to them. We look forward to continuing the journey together.”
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