Arsenal confident of new long-term contract for boss Mikel Arteta with Spaniard in final year of deal at the Emirates

Arsenal remain confident Mikel Arteta will commit to his long-term future at the Emirates, talkSPORT understands.

The Spaniard, who took charge of the Gunners in December 2019, has entered the final year of his deal in north London.

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talkSPORT reported in May how Arsenal were set to offer Arteta a bumper pay rise to make him their highest-paid manager in history.

With the new 2024/25 season under way, some Arsenal fans have been left feeling nervous that their ex-captain could walk away next year.

But talkSPORT understands that is not the case, with club chiefs believing it is just a matter of when, and not if, he pens fresh terms.

Both Arsenal and Arteta have been relaxed over his situation, with it believed they are not in a rush to finalise an agreement.

Arteta has repeatedly stated he sees his future at Arsenal, as he looks to guide the club to a first Premier League title since the Invincible in 2004.

Speaking of his situation last month, he said: “There is no update [on his contract] at the moment.

“The thing that hasn’t changed is how happy I am and how valued I feel here and how much I love representing this club.

“Things happen in a natural way and our relationship is that good that I don’t predict any issues happening.

“But things have to develop in the right way and it will happen.”

He had previously stated: “We have a great relationship with everybody at the football club. I’m really happy where I am and things will take care of themselves.”

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Arteta, who won the FA Cup in his first season in charge of Arsenal, has taken Arsenal to consecutive second-placed league finishes.

Arsenal finished with 89 points last term – their second highest tally – while winning their most ever games (28) and scoring their most amount of goals (91).

For Arteta, his focus will now be preparing his side for Saturday’s clash at Aston Villa – a ground they lost 1-0 at last campaign.

And Arteta could be soon joined by a new recruit, with Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino of interest.

Talks are at an advanced stage between the two teams, with the 28-year-old poised to return to England following a stint at Newcastle.

With Merino seemingly on his way in, Hale End graduates Eddie Nketiah and Charlie Patino look to be on their way out to Nottingham Forest and Deportivo de La Coruna respectively.

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