Arsenal have been proactive in tying their best players down to long-term contracts, but manager Mikel Arteta is yet to sign fresh terms.
Arteta has helped rebuild Arsenal since returning to the club in 2019, inheriting a mess but changing the culture and the team to one which is fighting for major honours.
The Spaniard has one year left on his contract, and rumours linking him with Barcelona surfaced earlier this year.
Arsenal are confident that their popular manager will extend his deal, and it now appears that a resolution is expected soon.
Fabrizio Romano shares update on Mikel Arteta Arsenal contract
In his Daily Briefing, Fabrizio Romano revealed that Arsenal are keen on handing Arteta a new deal as a matter of urgency.
“Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has only one year left on his contract, but the club consider him an absolutely crucial piece of their project, so they want to extend his contract as soon as possible,” he explained.
“The expectation is for Arsenal to advance on Arteta’s new contract soon. Negotiations will be in the next weeks, potentially months, but both parties are very happy together and I expect Arteta to continue at Arsenal because he’s very happy at the club.”
Mikel Arteta appears committed to long-term Arsenal project
Arteta’s entire process since becoming Arsenal manager has been focused on the long-term future, with younger players targeted in the transfer market, and work towards slowly implementing his tactical ideas now paying off.
Arsenal were languishing in mid-table when he arrived, and are now going toe to toe with some of Europe’s best sides.
Arteta appears destined to win major honours with Arsenal, and it seems highly unlikely that his departure will come any time soon until this happens.
His previous allegiances to Barcelona in his younger days may see him move to the Camp Nou one day, but this is not something Arsenal fans should be worried about for the next few years.
It appears that Arsenal want Arteta’s contract confirmed to remove any doubts over his future, before he and Edu Gaspar go to work in the transfer market, with several players targeted to finalise his squad into one which can go one step beyond challenging and lift major silverware next season.