Arsenal are close to finalising a new long-term contract for manager Mikel Arteta, with negotiations between the club and the Spanish coach progressing positively.
According to the BBC, talks have advanced in recent weeks, with all parties confident that Arteta will sign a new agreement and continue as Arsenal manager at the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta has nine months remaining on his current contract and is expected to receive a significant pay rise that would make him one of the highest-paid managers in world football.
His existing deal is reportedly worth £10m per season, with an additional £5m available if Arsenal qualify for the Champions League. However, the club are prepared to substantially improve his overall package.
Arteta has previously indicated that he wants to remain at Arsenal, saying last month that he was “very happy” at the club and that the timing of a new contract was not a concern.
Arsenal chief executive Richard Garlick has also suggested that an agreement is likely, describing the new deal as a “matter of time”.
Since taking charge in December 2019, Arteta has overseen Arsenal’s transformation and guided the club to their first Premier League title in 22 years. He has also become the longest-serving manager in English football.
The Spaniard has played a major role in Arsenal’s recruitment strategy, with the club’s pursuit of top-level players closely aligned with his vision for the squad.
The club’s recent transfer activity, including the arrivals of Bruno Guimaraes and Ezri Konsa and unsuccessful approaches for Vinicius Jr and Julian Alvarez, has demonstrated Arsenal’s willingness to invest heavily in building a squad capable of competing at the highest level.
According to the BBC, Arsenal’s ownership views Arteta’s continued presence as central to the club’s long-term ambitions, particularly with the current squad regarded as capable of establishing a sustained period of success.
A new contract would take Arteta closer to a decade in charge of Arsenal, where he has already served longer than any other current Premier League or EFL manager.
