Manager hands club big boost days before north London derby with Tottenham Hotspur
Arsenal have announced that manager Mikel Arteta has signed a new long-term contract at the club. The 42-year-old, who was due to be out of contract next summer, has agreed a new deal that, according to reports, keeps him at Arsenal until 2027.
“I feel extremely proud, very excited and am looking forward to what is coming next," Arteta told the club's official website. "I’m proud to be where I am and have the relationships that I have with everyone at the club. I feel extremely lucky to work every single day with good people and the ambition we have here. I feel inspired, challenged, supported and want to do much more than what we’ve already done together.
“The people in the building are ready to do whatever it takes to take this club to the next level and win."
“Together with the players and everyone at the club, we are looking forward to the coming years, with our supporters, who have emotionally transformed the club and the team. Our supporters have transformed individuals and we are different now. You can tell that we are different and for me, that is down to them. We look forward to continuing the journey together."
Arteta, a former Arsenal midfielder, left Manchester City to take over from Unai Emery in December 2019 and has been instrumental in transforming the Gunners' fortunes. He has won 139 of his 235 matches in charge of Arsenal in all competitions (a win-rate of 59 per cent).
Confirmation of Arteta’s new deal hands Arsenal a huge boost ahead of Sunday’s north London derby with Tottenham Hotspur. The manager must cope with the suspension of Declan Rice and the expected absence of captain Martin Odegaard, the attacking midfielder limping off injured during Norway’s UEFA Nations League match at home to Austria on Monday.
Following the Spurs match, Arteta returns to Man City next Sunday as Arsenal visit the champions. He was appointed as an assistant coach at City in July 2016 working under manager Pep Guardiola, and was part of the coaching team that won the Premier League in 2017/18 with a record 100 points.