Arsenal close to finalizing new contract for Arteta

Arsenal are reportedly close to finalizing a new long-term contract for manager Mikel Arteta, with discussions having progressed significantly in recent weeks. 

The club remains confident that the Spaniard will extend his stay at the Emirates Stadium, with his current deal set to expire in nine months.

Arteta, who was appointed Arsenal manager in December 2019, has already become the longest-serving manager in English football. 

Arsenal chief executive Richard Garlick previously described the renewal as a “matter of time”, while Arteta himself has made clear that he is happy at the club and wants to remain in north London.

The new agreement is expected to make Arteta one of the highest-paid managers in world football. 

Arsenal are prepared to improve significantly on his existing £10m-a-year contract, which includes a further £5m bonus if the club qualifies for the Champions League.

Arteta’s influence at Arsenal has grown considerably since his arrival, with the manager playing a major role in the club’s recruitment and footballing decisions. 

His leadership has helped transform Arsenal from a side outside the Champions League places into Premier League champions last season, while the club is now targeting further domestic and European success.

The Spaniard is also understood to have been encouraged by Arsenal’s ambition in the transfer market. 

The club invested heavily in players including Bruno Guimaraes and Ezri Konsa, while attempts to sign elite forwards Vinicius Jr and Julian Alvarez showed the owners’ willingness to pursue major targets.

With Arsenal considered strong contenders to retain the Premier League title and challenge for their first Champions League crown, the club views keeping Arteta as a priority. 

A new contract could take his tenure closer to a decade and further strengthen his position as the central figure in Arsenal’s long-term plans.

Arsenal’s latest game saw them win 1-0 against Napoli in the UEFA Champions League.