Mikel Arteta has agreed an improved new contract with Premier League champions Arsenal after months of negotiations over his future at the Emirates Stadium.
The Spaniard’s current deal is due to expire at the end of this season, but discussions over an extension have been ongoing for several months, with an agreement now understood to have been reached between all parties.
The development comes just days after Brighton & Hove Albion ended Arsenal’s perfect Premier League start in emphatic fashion, defeating Arteta’s side 3-0 at the Amex Stadium on Saturday.
Pascal Groß, Charalampos Kostoulas and Chema Andrés were all on target as Brighton produced a dominant performance to hand Arsenal their first league defeat of the campaign.
Despite the setback, negotiations over Arteta’s future have continued to progress, with an agreement having been close earlier this month.
It is now understood that the 44-year-old has reached a final agreement with Arsenal to extend his stay at the club. The exact length of the new contract has not yet been confirmed, but the deal is expected to take Arteta into at least his 10th year in charge following his appointment in December 2019.
The new agreement will also include a significant increase in Arteta’s salary. He currently earns around £10m per year, with an additional £5m available through bonuses, but his improved contract will see his overall package rise.
Arteta had already made his desire to remain at Arsenal clear during the ongoing negotiations, reassuring supporters last week that there was no reason for them to worry about his future.
“I’m extremely happy and I feel very grateful to work with the people I work with,” Arteta said when discussing his contract situation.
News of Arteta’s agreement will not come as a major surprise given his previous comments, but it represents an important development for Arsenal as the club continues to build on its recent transformation under the Spaniard.
The fact that his existing contract was due to expire at the end of the season had placed additional emphasis on the negotiations, although there had been little indication that Arteta was considering walking away.
His decision to remain is also understood to be driven by the ambition to build a long-term dynasty at Arsenal.
After guiding the club to their first Premier League title in 20 years last season, Arteta is viewed as believing there is still considerably more to achieve with the squad he has built.
Arsenal also came within a penalty kick of winning their first Champions League trophy, a painful defeat that has provided further motivation rather than prompting thoughts of an exit.
The agreement therefore ensures that Arsenal’s recent revitalisation under Arteta will continue with the manager at the centre of the project.
With a new deal now agreed, the Gunners have secured the continued presence of the manager who has overseen their return to the top of English football and established them as a major force in European football.
