Mikel Arteta is edging closer to signing a new contract with Arsenal, with significant progress reported in ongoing negotiations between the two parties.
TEAMtalk’s Graeme Bailey has reported that the Spanish tactician is nearing a deal that would make him the highest-paid coach in the Premier League.
Arteta first took charge of Arsenal back in 2019, arriving at the club with no prior managerial experience and inheriting a side sitting in mid-table.
Since then, the transformation at the Emirates has been remarkable, with Arsenal establishing themselves as genuine title contenders over a sustained period of time.
The Gunners finished second in three consecutive Premier League seasons before finally breaking through to claim the title in 2025/26.
Arsenal supporters will be relieved by the latest reports, given that Arteta’s existing contract had just one year remaining on it before these talks began.
The 44-year-old is now close to committing his long-term future to the club, with an official announcement potentially arriving soon after the positive progress made in discussions.
TEAMtalk claim that Arteta currently earns £10m per year, but his new deal could see that figure nearly double, moving him close to the £20m annually that Pep Guardiola was earning at Manchester City.
Arteta has evolved from an untested rookie manager into one of the most respected coaches in world football, having previously played for both Arsenal and Everton during his career.
The timing of the deal is made even more critical by Guardiola’s exit from Manchester City, which leaves a major power vacuum at the top of the English game.
Several other top clubs are also in a state of transition, with Michael Carrick and Roberto De Zerbi having recently taken charge of Manchester United and Tottenham respectively.
Liverpool and Chelsea have also undergone managerial changes recently, meaning Arsenal’s ability to retain Arteta could prove a decisive competitive advantage heading into next season.
Securing Arteta on a long-term contract allows Arsenal to build on their title-winning foundation and push for sustained dominance across the Premier League and in Europe.
