Arsenal are set to offer Mikel Arteta a new contract and a pay rise this summer, according to reports, though he’ll still earn less than other top bosses.

The S*n reported on Tuesday night that Arsenal are set to hand Mikel Arteta a new £8.3m-a-year contract this summer, with his current deal set to enter its final year by that stage.

This follows a report from Football.London in January detailing that Arsenal are expected to offer Arteta a new contract at the end of the season.

Football.London added that Barcelona have previously been linked with a move for Arteta. But the manager claims he’s happy in North London, and he has a strong relationship with Josh Kroenke.

Though £8.3m-a-year would be a pay rise, it’s pointed out that Pep Guardiola is on £20m, and Antonio Conte and Jurgen Klopp earn around £15m, so Arteta would still be a way off the Premier League’s top earners.

“I am really happy here,” Arteta said in his latest press conference. “My aim is just to build with the club a winning team. A team people can enjoy watching.

“Things will happen naturally. Our focus must be delivering what we want.”

Most Arsenal fans will probably welcome the news that the contract talks are being put off until the end of the season.

For a start, it’s an unneeded distraction at the moment, whilst Arsenal’s full focus needs to be on finishing in the top four.

Then there’s also the question of how well Arteta’s Arsenal finish the season.

If the Gunners boss can guide his team through the tricky final stages to Champions League football, he’s earned a new contract. I think it would be difficult to deny him that in the circumstances.

But if Arsenal really drop off and slip down the table before summer, perhaps the club hierarchy need to give it more serious consideration. Judge him in May, as they say.