Mikel Arteta agrees new Arsenal deal to extend Emirates stay

Mikel Arteta has agreed a new contract with Arsenal that will extend his stay at the club, rewarding the Spaniard after leading the Gunners to their first Premier League title in 22 years last season.

Arteta’s previous agreement, signed in September 2024, was due to expire at the end of the current season.

Negotiations over an extension had been ongoing for several months, with the club keen to retain the manager who has overseen a significant transformation since taking charge in December 2019.

The agreement is yet to be formally announced by Arsenal, but reports indicate that the main terms have been settled.

The new contract is expected to be formally signed and confirmed during the international break.

Arteta, 44, had previously indicated that there was no reason for concern over his future, saying he and the club were “very much aligned” and shared the same ambition.

His new agreement comes after the most successful season of his Arsenal managerial career.

He guided the club to the 2025-26 Premier League title, ending a 22-year wait for the championship, after three consecutive second-place finishes.

Arsenal also reached the Champions League final, where they lost to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties.

Arteta has also won the FA Cup and two Community Shield trophies during his tenure.

His appointment followed a playing career that included spells with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Rangers, Real Sociedad and Everton before he finished his playing career at Arsenal.

Born in San Sebastián, Spain, in 1982, Arteta moved into coaching after retiring as a player in 2016.

He joined Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff at Manchester City, working as an assistant manager before returning to Arsenal as head coach in 2019.

Since taking charge, Arteta has developed Arsenal into regular Premier League title contenders and restored the club to the upper reaches of European football.

Arsenal have had several managers who played major roles in the club’s history.

Herbert Chapman (1925-1934) built Arsenal into a major force, winning two league titles and an FA Cup.

George Graham (1986-1995) delivered two league titles, an FA Cup, two League Cups and the European Cup Winners’ Cup during a successful nine-year spell.

Arsène Wenger (1996-2018) remains Arsenal’s longest-serving manager and led the club to three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups.

His 2003-04 side completed an unbeaten league season known as the “Invincibles”.