Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has signed a new three-year contract with the club, extending his stay until 2027. This comes as a relief to fans, as Arteta was originally set to be out of contract at the end of this season.
Appointed in December 2019, Arteta took over from Unai Emery after leaving his coaching role under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. His first major trophy with Arsenal was the FA Cup, which he won at the end of the 2019-2020 season.
The new contract is expected to be officially announced before the north London derby against Tottenham on Sunday. Under Arteta, Arsenal has finished as runners-up to Manchester City in the Premier League for the past two seasons, and the 42-year-old is aiming to lead the team to their first top-flight title since the 2003-04 season.
This season, Arsenal currently sits fourth in the league, having won their first two games against Wolves and Aston Villa before drawing with Brighton.
Arteta, who also played 150 matches for Arsenal as a midfielder and captained the side, has demonstrated his value to the club. His new deal reflects Arsenal's commitment to him as they seek to end their 20-year wait for a Premier League title.
BBC Sport football news reporter Nizaar Kinsella highlights that this contract extension solidifies Arteta's role in leading Arsenal to success. Despite previous speculation linking him to Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona, Arteta's strong relationships within the club and his calm demeanor in negotiations made his departure seem unlikely.
With Arsenal's behind-the-scenes support for Arteta and sporting director Edu, the club has come close to challenging Manchester City for the title in recent seasons. The Gunners have strengthened their squad with new signings, though some have questioned the lack of a new striker.
As Arsenal continues to build towards winning major titles, Arteta's new contract is a significant step, and it’s fitting that it comes ahead of a key match against Tottenham.
