Mikel Arteta has become one of the Premier League’s highest-paid managers after signing a lucrative new contract with Arsenal.
On May 29, Mail Sport reported that the Spaniard was in formal talks with the Gunners about extending his contract, which would see him receive a significant rise over his current £9 million-per-season salary.
At the moment, all sides were confident that the conversations would conclude positively, which was verified on Thursday when the Gunners announced that their manager had signed a contract that would keep him until the end of the 2026/27 season.
The news secures the services of one of European football’s most brilliant coaches, sparking admiration from elite teams throughout the continent.
Pep Guardiola is now the Premier League’s highest-paid manager, earning over £20 million per season.
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Mikel Arteta has signed a new three-year deal at Arsenal, extending his stay until 2027
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Arteta replaced Unai Emery in December 2019 and he has had a major impact on the Gunners
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‘I feel extremely lucky to work every single day with good people and the ambition we have here. I feel very inspired, I feel challenged, I feel supported and I want to do much more than what we’ve already done together.
‘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.’
The new contract provides Arsenal with a huge boost ahead of this weekend’s north London derby against Tottenham.
It was confirmed by Arsenal’s official X account, with a photo of Arteta alongside sporting director Edu, with the caption: ‘Belief in what we do. Mikel Arteta has committed his future to The Arsenal.’
Edu added: ‘We are really happy that Mikel has signed a new long-term contract. It’s a very positive and proud moment for everyone at the club and an important part of what we’re all working towards.’
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Arteta previously cut his teeth as Pep Guardiola’s assistant boss between 2016 and 2019
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Arsenal’s FA Cup victory in 2020 is the only major trophy Arteta has won with the club.
Arteta, who refined his coaching talents as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City from 2016 to 2019, succeeded Emery at the Emirates following a difficult few years for the Gunners.
He won the FA Cup in 2019-20 after making a significant impact, and his title was changed from head coach to manager immediately after, demonstrating his rising authority at the club.
Arteta then managed a reconstruction, developing and bringing in various young talents such as Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith-Rowe, and Gabriel Martinelli, while removing major names and high earners such as Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
After leading the Gunners to consecutive eighth-place finishes, Arsenal finished fifth in 2021-22 before nearly losing the Premier League title to Manchester City in the previous two seasons.
Arteta, who signed his previous deal in 2022, has won 139 of his 235 games as manager of the club and has helped to entirely shift the mood around the Emirates.
The Spaniard has similarly re-established Arsenal as a competitive force, winning the Community Shield in 2020 and 2023, as well as ensuring the club’s return to the Champions League following a seven-year absence ahead of last season.
Arteta’s performances drew admiring eyes from Barcelona, but his new contract underlines the 42-year-old’s devotion to Arsenal and extends his stay by half a decade.
In March, Arteta won his 100th Premier League game as manager, seven games faster than Arsenal’s legendary former manager Arsene Wenger.
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Arteta has re-established the Gunners as a competitive force, with a young and lively team.
The Spaniard had made 150 appearances for the club in five seasons, two of which he served as captain.
Arsenal has two wins and a draw in their first three games this season, but they face a difficult challenge at Tottenham on Sunday with Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino, and Declan Rice all out due to injury or suspension.