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Arsenal close to major new contract for Arteta

Arsenal are close to finalising a new contract with manager Mikel Arteta, according to a report, with his existing deal to expire in 2027.

Head coach of Arsenal FC Mikel Arteta salutes his fans after the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between SSC Napoli and Arsenal FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on September 09, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images

Sami Mokbel reports for the BBC that Arsenal are in the process of finalising an agreement with Mikel Arteta over a new contract, with well-placed sources indicating those talks have moved forward recently.

Those involved in talks reportedly have full confidence that Arteta will renew. The expectation is then that the manager will become one of the best-paid managers in football, with Arsenal committed to ‘significantly improving’ on his current deal.

That deal is worth £10m a season plus an extra £5m for Champions League qualification, which has been no trouble for Arteta’s Arsenal in recent seasons.

Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Coventry City at Emirates Stadium on August 21, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

Mokbel adds that Arteta has made it clear during contract talks that he wants to see Arsenal showing ambition.

Despite the club failing to sign Vinicius Junior or Julian Alvarez over the summer, the fact Arsenal’s owners were willing to sanction those deals has reportedly provided Arteta with the evidence of that ambition.

David Ornstein had confirmed in August that Arteta was set to stay at Arsenal, and that he expects the two parties to reach an agreement on a new deal in due course.

Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, reacts during the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and Como Calcio at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Arteta himself and members of the Arsenal hierarchy had given positive updates on the manager’s contract situation as well, with Arteta saying fans “don’t have to worry”.

The Arsenal boss added “I want to be here, I’m extremely happy,” while indicating the new agreement will be completed when both parties have the opportunity.

Arsenal CEO Richard Garlick then confirmed: “Mikel wants to be at Arsenal and we want Mikel at Arsenal. It’s only a matter of time before we put that into a new contract.

“Everyone is very confident and calm. We’re just navigating a transfer window and I’m sure Mikel’s contract will be resolved very shortly.”

Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal reacts during the during the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and Borussia Dortmund at Emirates Stadium on August 09, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

From an Arsenal fan point of view, this is all good news. It would be a positive thing for Arteta to renew, but it’s also important that he’s pushing the club to maximise on their current potential.

There’s no point in the manager renewing if the owners are suddenly going to take a step back and leave him to work with what he’s got for a few years. The other top clubs won’t rest on their laurels.

Mikel Arteta, manager of Arsenal FC looks on during the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and Real Betis Balompie at Aviva Stadium on August 05, 2026 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images
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