According to The Athletic, Mikel Arteta has agreed a new three-year deal that will keep him at Arsenal until 2027.
The Spaniard’s current deal expires at the end of the current season, so in effect, he’s agreed to a two-year term extension while presumably earning himself a decent pay rise.
Despite some scurrilous articles questioning why the 42-year-old hadn’t already committed, there’s never been any doubt that Arteta would pen new terms at the Emirates.
He repeatedly hinted that an agreement would be reached, saying in July: “Things happen in a natural way and our relationship is that good that I don’t predict any issues happening. But things have to develop in the right way and it will happen.”
In August, he added: “I am [excited] and I’m very grateful for where I’m sitting and the people that I work with every single day.
“It’s really difficult to find that harmony, that trust, that belief, that same alignment in ambition and it’s something that I always mention. I believe that we have an unbelievable time ahead of us, it’s very exciting and I’m very excited about it.”
Arteta was appointed head coach in December 2019 and signed his last contract in May 2022. Having inherited a bloated, overpaid and unbalanced squad he, his team and Sporting Director Edu, have patiently crafted an outfit that has twice run Manchester City close in the title race. So far, the only silverware was the surprise FA Cup won during the pandemic hit 2019/20 season. He knows it is time to change that.
Given the build-up to Sunday’s north London derby has been overshadowed by injuries to Mikel Merino, Riccardo Calafiori and captain Martin Odegaard, this news should go some way to changing the mood around the camp. A win at Sp*rs would be a delightful cherry on top.
Expected (as no way he’d leave now with finally assembling his squad and with so much potential to grow and start delivering i.e. trophies), but still good to have it done. Now, let’s focus on football 🙂
Right on!
This brilliant manager would already have two titles in his young career, were it not for a cheating juggernaut ruining the league! It pains me every time I think of it.
Hopefully, his team wins the trophies they deserve to seal Arteta’s legacy at this gargantuan footballing institution sooner rather than later. Vamos, Mikel!
This is a pretty big thought that probably requires a whole blog of its own (more a wider philosophical view of how we follow football), but I’ll try and keep it brief. I’ve reached a point where I honestly couldn’t care less whether we finish first or second to this soulless juggernaut of an organisation, and am far more invested and proud of the culture and “standards” Mikel’s given us these past few years. This whole “we have to be perfect every game to have any chance of beating City” is such an exhausting and boring way to follow The… Read more »
awesome post mate. spot on
2nd this, great post and definitely echos my thoughts and feelings, although admittedly I was pretty fucked off after our captains injury the other day. Nice to have perspective, it’s all about the journey and enjoying it as much as possible.
This is actually beautiful a post and I completely agree with it. Thing is, it used to be easy to support just the way you have outlined pre-social media days. But these days when I go on SM and see posts like “ETH has won 2 trophies in 2 seasons and Arteta 1 in 5 years…” They trigger me, not even going to lie. Social media ruined football. There are kids on these platforms spouting a lot of rubbish, pushing agendas, and amassing engagements that when you see as a fan of the club on the receiving end, it is… Read more »
The key to a happy life is to stay off social media as much as possible (unless you use it for work). I only use LI for work and don’t have any other social accounts. Honestly, I am not missing out on anything. If Arsenal come up short in the NLD (or any other game), I don’t look at any other reports or comment threads (other than Arseblog where everyone is feeling the same). I switch off completely and pretend it never happened. For at least a week and then it’s forgotten. It’s so easy to do. If someone brings… Read more »
Hard to get rid of totally because I use it for work. But I I learning to stay off it a lot more these days.
Great post. Fully agree and I get swept up in bullshit as much as anyone because I want them to win something to show the whole world how brilliant they are. But why do I care about this? Honestly I am older and wiser (supposedly) than that. Even if we win everything, tribalism and bias will ensure we never get credit outside of our fanbase and it will just mean that the ‘galacticos’ of world football will try to poach our players (as if they’ve only just woken up to the fact we are quite good). I almost ‘enjoyed’ football… Read more »
Great post, Sean.
And that’s why if City are found guilty of those 115 charges then we should be awarded the two titles that we won fair and square.
And they should be kicked out of the PL for ever.
bravo fats!
Has he signed in time to play in the derby?
Injured hair follicles during interlull. 🙁
Hairline fracture?
Understand things are in final phase, manager has signed pre contract and now both parties are discussing last key terms. Next 24h to be crucial before here we go
Great news
Foggin’ excellent news, after a bit of a worrisome week.
In Arteta we most definitely trust! Onwards and upwards, the Arsenal!
Hooray!
Think it’s fair to say we were due some good news this week. And bar a shock miraculous double recovery from Odegaard and Merino before the weekend, this is about the best we could have hoped for. Bloody get in!!!
Absolutely massive. Best signing of the year. Essential to our identity and everything we do. We are very lucky to have you Super Mik
Never in doubt!
10+
Never in doubt. There is no wat he would have gone when he was part of (and largely responsible for) such of a happy harmonised group. Equally, given how much time and effort (and money) he has put into the squad it would be madness to leave now when it is all about to pay off. At the same time where else could he go and get the same freedoms. As it stands He is already the 3rd(?) longest serving current PL manager. Compare that with Chelsea who offered Graham Potter 5 years to do something similar and was fired… Read more »