Mikel Arteta gives Latest Update on Arsenal Contract Talks ahead of Community Shield Clash

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has moved to calm any concerns among supporters about his future at the club, insisting he wants to stay and that a new contract extension will be resolved in due course.

The Spaniard, who guided the Gunners to their first Premier League title in 22 years last season, is now into the final 12 months of his existing deal, which expires in 2027.

Arteta signed his last three-year extension in September 2024. After delivering the long-awaited championship in May, expectations were high that fresh terms would follow quickly as a reward. Club co-chairman Josh Kroenke had previously described securing the manager’s long-term future as a priority. Yet with the busy summer transfer window taking precedence, formal agreement has not yet been reached ahead of the new campaign.

Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s Community Shield clash with Manchester City on Sunday, Arteta left little doubt about his intentions.

“They (the fans) don’t have to worry about any of that, because I want to be here. I am extremely happy. I feel very grateful to work with the people that I work with and when we have the possibility, we will resolve that. And that’s it,” he said.

He explained that other priorities have taken precedence for now. “There is always another priority, I think! And that’s the way we have been treating it, I think because everybody feels comfortable that the time on the contract is not going to be an issue. My will, certainly, is to be here and I am very happy here. My feeling from the club is the same one. That is why everyone is doing things in a really organic way.”

Arteta has been in charge since December 2019 and is now the longest-serving manager in the English Football League following Pep Guardiola’s departure from Manchester City. Reports suggest any new deal is likely to include a significant pay rise on his current salary of around £10 million a year, potentially making him one of the highest-paid managers in the Premier League.

Both sides appear aligned, with the focus remaining on strengthening the squad and defending the title. Arsenal have already signed Christos Tzolis, Illan Meslier and Bruno Guimaraes in this window, along with making Piero Hincapie’s loan deal permanent. There are a few more outgoings pending in North London as they actively explore more incoming options.